On the surface it would seem to be an easy question I asked of Fontana High girls volleyball coach Leah Gomez today.
Fontana is currently ranked No. 2 in CIF-SS Division 4A, so the Steelers as of now would be a favorite to reach CIF-SS Finals, a feat Fontana has not come close to accomplishing in the last decade.
So, when I asked Gomez if this is the best team she’s had in the decade she’s coached at the school, you would think the answer would be a resounding yes.’
But, upon further inspection, Gomez cautioned me, it is not so easy.
Remember, until 2012, Fontana was in the Citrus Belt League, which was dominated by the likes of Redlands East Valley, Redlands and Yucaipa.
But Fontana actually finished in the top half of the CBL in both 2009 and 2010, qualifying for the playoffs. With all due respect to the Sunkist League, it is not the CBL. The CBL for years was either in Division 2AA or 1A. It’s entirely possible one of those CBL Fontana teams was better than the current.
It may not be the only way to gauge team strength, but maxpreps.com gives state rankings, involving all schools, regardless of division. Fontana in 2009 was 272, 2010 was 237. What is this year’s ranking? 315.
This may be the Fontana team in the last decade that has the best chance to win a CIF-SS title, but doesn’t necessarily mean it’s better than previous Steeler teams.

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