When the CIF girls basketball playoff pairings came out it was evident that Santa Monica High’s team is highly regarded.
The Vikings (20-5) are seeded No. 2 in Division 1-A and will have a home first round game Thursday night, February 19 against Orange High, which has an 8-13 record.
Samohi finished second in the Ocean League. Inglewood, which won the league, is in another playoff division.
Coach Marty Verdugo’s Vikings completed their league schedule with a 73-52 win at Culver City as senior forward Jennie Hading made seven three-point shots and totaled 26 points. Junior point guard Thea Lemberger scored 20.
New Roads was chosen in the 5-A Division and will have a home game Thursday against Riverside Christian (10-11). New Roads was only 9-16 overall but took second place in the Harbor League.St. Monica (16-10) was selected in Division 5-AA and seeded ninth. The Mariners’ first round game, also Thursday night, will be at Ontario Christian (15-10). Crossroads, which won the CIF 5-AA championship last season, is in Division 4-A now and will host Excelsior High in a first round game Thursday at 4 p.m.
