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Santa Margarita’s girls basketball team is progressing quickly as another challenge awaits on Saturday.
The Eagles (7-2) enter a spotlight game against Sage Hill (5-4) at the Maya Enomoto Memorial Showcase at Esperanza High having won seven of their past eight games.
Santa Margarita and Sage Hill tip off at 7 p.m. to conclude an eight-game showcase that honors the late OC Rhythm youth player who fought brain cancer. The event starts at 9 a.m.
The Eagles’ recent surge includes a 51-48 victory in overtime against Villa Park in the finals of the Villa Park-Brea Olinda Winter Shootout on Saturday.
Santa Margarita appears to have found its stride after open the season with a 70-66 loss against West of Torrance. The Eagles’ only other defeat came against Beckman (8-2), which is drawing strong review sfrom opposing coaches.
“We’ve been tested every game and I truly believe we’re improving,” Santa Margarita coach Seyram Bell said. “We’ve faced a variety of opponents, each presenting their own unique challenges, and the girls have been very receptive in trying to apply what is given to them through scouting reports.”
“Defensively, we’re always striving to get better,” the sixth-year coach added.
In the finals of the Villa Park-Brea Olinda tournament, Santa Margarita started tournament MVP Madi Lam at guard along with seniors Janaya Williams and Jennea Holmes, junior Taylor Black and sophomore Elle Palmer.
Palmer, the daughter of Santa Margarita football coach Carson Palmer, led the Eagles with 20 points and 10 rebounds while Lam had 13 points and seven rebounds.
Williams, a transfer from powerhouse Archbishop Mitty in San Jose, added eight points and seven rebounds.
Santa Margarita, Bell said, has received contributions off the bench from junior Grace Anderson and sophomores Katie Wang and Gwen Julianel. Williams’ sister Jasmine has been out with an injury, Bell add.
The Eagles’ next test will be Sage Hill, the reigning CIF SoCal Regional Division I champion. The Lightning are ranked No. 4 in Orange County, two spots ahead of Santa Margarita.
“Sage Hill is a very strong program,” Bell said. “This will present a different challenge for us as we have not yet faced a team with their level of size.”
Sage Hill has lost four of its past five games.
The Lightning showed some new looks at the Troy Classic.
With its improved depth, the team employed a 3/4 court press. Coach Kerwin Walters’ squad also incorporated “European ball movement” to its front-court offense.
“If we can just make the movement, make the passes, make everyone a threat, I think we’re pretty tough,” Walters said.
SHORT SHOTS
Sage Hill senior Amalia Holguin said she signed with Texas’ top-ranked 2026 recruiting class because of the program’s “family atmosphere” and player development on and off the court. “I committed on campus (on my official recruiting trip),” the guard said. “That was my first official and I knew it was home.” …
Sage Hill sophomore post Eve Fowler has grown to 6-foot-4, Walters said.
Mark DeLeon has replaced Craig Matthews as the coach at Brea Olinda, Ladycats athletic director Pam Valenti confirmed.
Matthews resigned just before the start of the season for personal reasons, he said. Matthews compiled a 49-36 record in three seasons and led the Ladycats to the North Hills League title last winter.
Valenti said DeLeon, an assistant for Matthews, is the interim coach. “We will fly the position (for candidates) at the end of the season,” she said. …
Sunny Hills (7-2) opens its tournament on Tuesday by playing host to Freeway League rival Troy (5-3).