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5 Cinderella Teams Reach Girls Basketball and Soccer Semifinals
Unexpected playoff runs by Orange, Laguna Beach, and other local squads
Feb. 20, 2026 at 10:06pm
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The CIF-SS semifinals in girls basketball and girls soccer are this Saturday, and several Orange County teams considered underdogs or making unexpected playoff runs have advanced, including the Orange High School girls basketball team and the Laguna Beach High School girls soccer squad.
Why it matters
These Cinderella stories highlight the excitement and unpredictability of high school sports playoffs, where lesser-known teams can often pull off surprising upsets and make deep postseason runs, defying expectations.
The details
The Orange High School girls basketball team, led by coach Sara Nealis, has advanced to the CIF-SS semifinals after being overlooked at the start of the season. Similarly, the Laguna Beach High School girls soccer team has exceeded expectations by reaching the semifinals, despite not being considered a top contender.
- The CIF-SS girls basketball and girls soccer semifinals are scheduled for this Saturday.
The players
Sara Nealis
The head coach of the Orange High School girls basketball team.
Laguna Beach High School
The girls soccer team from Laguna Beach High School has made an unexpected run to the CIF-SS semifinals.
What they’re saying
“These Cinderella teams are a great example of how high school sports can surprise us and showcase the talent and determination of student-athletes who may have been overlooked at the start of the season.”
— Sara Nealis, Head Coach, Orange High School Girls Basketball
What’s next
The winners of the CIF-SS girls basketball and girls soccer semifinals will advance to the championship games next weekend.
The takeaway
High school sports playoffs are full of unpredictable Cinderella stories, where underdog teams can defy expectations and make deep postseason runs, showcasing the talent and determination of student-athletes who may have been overlooked at the start of the season.
