Cajon girls basketball ready for long layoff before state playoffs

For the second year in a row, the Cajon girls basketball team was selected to play in the CIF Southern Section Open Division playoffs.
And for the second year in a row, the Cowgirls bowed out early.
But there are several differences this time around.
A small difference is that last season Cajon went 1-2 in the CIF-SS playoffs and this year went 0-2. Unlike last year, any team in the CIF-SS Open Division is guaranteed a spot at state. “It’s nice knowing we’ve got at least one game at state,” Cajon coach Mark Lehman said. “We’re looking forward to it.”
Last year, Cajon went to Division I for state and won its first two games before falling to Ventura in overtime. This year, by losing its first two CIF-SS Open Division games, Cajon will be placed in Division II for state.
“I think we should be No. 1 (in Division II),” Lehman said. “At least No. 2. If not, (that’s) disrespect.”
Cajon, which was seeded seventh in CIF-SS Open Division, could be battling with Santa Ana Mater Dei for that No. 1 seed in the Division II Southern Regional. Mater Dei, which also lost its first two Open Division games, was seeded sixth in the CIF-SS playoffs.
Cajon, which was eliminated on Wednesday, won’t play again until March 9. CIF-SS Open Division teams that are eliminated early are permitted a scrimmage against another team before the state playoffs start, but the Cowgirls aren’t planning on that.
“I have a basketball class, and we’ll scrimmage against the boys, which would be better preparation than scrimmaging against girls,” Lehman said.
Cajon, which has five senior starters, doesn’t want to see its season end early.
“This group has never lost three games in a row, and they’re not willing to do that now,” he said.

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Nominations due for Cajon all-star basketball games

As in previous years, Cajon will host the San Bernardino County vs. Riverside County all-star basketball games. This year the games are on April 8, with the girls game at 6 p.m. and the boys game at 7:30 p.m.

Coaches who have not already nominated seniors for the game should do so immediately. For girls nominees, e-mail Mark.Lehman@sbcusd.com and for boys nominees, email randy.murray@sbcusd.com.

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VIDEOS: Cajon’s Kayla Washington, Tyla Turner talk after signing

Above, Cajon’s two Division I basketball players (so far) talk after signing their National Letters of Intent in the last week. Top, forward Kayla Washington after she signed with Washington State, and bottom, guard Tyla Turner talks after signing with Long Beach State.

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Our list of athletes signing this week

BASEBALL

  • Isaiah Davis, Carter – Fresno State
  • Brett Vansant, Redlands East Valley – Western Kentucky
  • Reggie Lawson, Victor Valley – Arizona State

GIRLS BASKETBALL

  • Kayla Washington, Cajon – Washington State

SOFTBALL

  • Pamala Baber, Carter – Texas-El Paso
  • Marissa Jauregui, Grand Terrace – UC Davis
  • Danielle Rico, Grand Terrace – Eastern Michigan
  • Jocelyn Betancourt, Grand Terrace – Cal St. Bakersfield
  • Melanie Olmos, Grand Terrace – Oklahoma
  • Riley Plogger, Redlands East Valley – Utah State
  • Stephanie Ruelas, Redlands East Valley – Concordia
  • Mallory Cross, Yucaipa –  Texas-El Paso
  • Kayla Martin, Yucaipa – Kansas Wesleyan
  • Kelly Martinez, Yucaipa – Utah
  • Zoe Richard, Citrus Valley – Cal State Fullerton
  • Olivia Olvera, Citrus Valley – La Sierra

SWIMMING

  • Emily Longfellow, Redlands East Valley -University of Houston
  • Melissa Pepper, Redlands – West Virginia
  • Nicole Proctor, Redlands – UC Santa Barbara

VOLLEYBALL

  • Janell Walley, Yucaipa – Boise State
TRACK AND FIELD
  • Alisha Edwards, Redlands HS – UCLA

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Cajon’s Kayla Washington commits to Washington St.


Cajon’s Kayla Washington

Cajon High senior basketball player Kayla Washington wanted to make her verbal commitment before the season began, but she was waiting for what she felt was the right offer.
On Sunday, she got it. And on Monday night, she made the commitment, giving a verbal commitment to Washington State.
“When I talked to them, their style of play, was just perfect for me,” she said. “Their coaching staff, I felt real comfortable with.”
Washington, a 6-foot forward who was The Sun’s Player of the Year last year after averaging 28.1 points and 16.1 rebounds per game for the Cowgirls, said the leading candidate until last weekend was Grand Canyon University, a school that recently became Division I.
She said one of the things she liked about Washington State is that they see her as a combination small forward/power forward while other schools wanted her to be a guard.
“They (Washington State) liked the way I play. Most wanted to change me into a guard,” she said. “And they (Washington State) told me they didn’t have a player like me on their team.”
Washington said her father told her that Cajon’s team during last weekend’s West Coast Premier Fall Showcase tournament at Chaffey College might be a good chance to get an offer. He was right, and Washington State offered her a scholarship after seeing her play for the first time.
“I was definitely discouraged (by the number of offers),” she said. “I felt like it was my last shot.”
Washington isn’t concerned that she’s leaving Southern California., and is in fact glad to leave the area, but at the same time, stay on the west coast.
“My family can still make some of the games, and 14 of the games are on TV,” she said.
Washington said she wants “to get in the best shape I’ve ever been in and keep working on my guard game.”
Washington, who said she had other offers that included Long Beach State, Weber State, Eastern Washington, George Washington, Seattle, Arkansas and Kansas State, plans to make a trip to Washington State in October and sign her National Letter of Intent during the early signing period in November.

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