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Orange Today
By the People, for the People
Surprises, showdowns set tone for girls basketball playoffs
Dan Albano recaps the first week of the high school girls basketball playoffs and looks ahead to key matchups on Wednesday.
Published on Feb. 20, 2026
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Dan Albano highlights several teams and players that surprised in the opening rounds of the girls basketball playoffs, including Villa Park, Portola, and Sunny Hills. He also previews an exciting matchup on Wednesday between top-ranked teams Sage Hill and Mater Dei in the Open Division.
Why it matters
The early rounds of the girls basketball playoffs have set the stage for an exciting postseason, with several underdogs emerging and a highly anticipated showdown between two of the top teams in Orange County. These storylines will captivate local fans and set the tone for the remainder of the playoffs.
The details
Villa Park, Portola, and Sunny Hills were among the teams that impressed in the first week of the playoffs. Villa Park shook off a tough regular season loss to advance to the quarterfinals, while Portola and Sunny Hills both knocked off top seeds. On the player side, Trabuco Hills' Ellie Tapper and Kennedy's Ta'Niya Paul stood out with strong individual performances. The marquee matchup on Wednesday is between No. 1 Sage Hill and No. 2 Mater Dei, a clash between two of the best teams in Orange County with important seeding implications.
- The girls basketball playoffs began last week.
- Wednesday's quarterfinal games will feature several key matchups.
The players
Brad Willis
The head coach of the Villa Park girls basketball team.
Brian Barham
The head coach of the Portola girls basketball team.
Jae Byun
The head coach of the Sunny Hills girls basketball team.
Ellie Tapper
A sophomore guard for the Trabuco Hills girls basketball team who has stood out with her strong shooting and aggressive play.
Ta'Niya Paul
A freshman standout for the Kennedy girls basketball team who recorded a triple-double in the first round.
Harmony Golightly
A junior guard for the Mater Dei girls basketball team.
Amalia Holguin
A Texas signee and standout guard for the Sage Hill girls basketball team.
Jody Wynn
The head coach of the Mater Dei girls basketball team, who previously coached at the Division I collegiate level.
What they’re saying
“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”
— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)
“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”
— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)
What’s next
The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.
The takeaway
This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.
