Paloma Valley advances in girls basketball playoffs

Sydney Woodley scored 18 points to lead the way tonight as the Paloma Valley High School girls basketball team scored a 54-30 victory over Villa Park in the second round of the CIF Division 2A playoffs.

Mya Pierfax added 14 points and Christianna Hawkins had 11 for the Wildcats, who had a bye in the first round. They improved their season record to 10-3 and will play at La Serna High Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the third round.

"We're all extremely grateful just to be playing," said Matt Dale, coach of a team that had only five practices before the season started because of the COVID-19 pandemic. "As weird as it seems to be playing at this time of year, you forget about it once the game starts.

"The girls really like each other and they have good chemistry. They're growing as we go along. Our three losses were all to strong Division 1 teams. No one has blown us out. I feel good about where we are."

The Wildcats led 29-15 at halftime and outscored the opposition 16-2 in the third quarter to put the game out of reach.