Laguna Hills boys basketball team rallies past Moreno Valley to reach Division 6 title game

The Hawks used a 12-2 run in the fourth quarter to take control and advance to the section finals for the first time in program history.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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The Laguna Hills boys basketball team overcame a 45-43 deficit after three quarters with a 12-2 run in the fourth quarter to defeat Moreno Valley 62-51 and advance to the CIF Southern Section Division 6 championship game. Myles Mittelsteadt led the Hawks with 21 points, while Jackson Burnham and Fletcher Freeman added 20 and 13 points respectively. Laguna Hills, in their 48th season of boys basketball, will play Ramona in the section final on February 27 or 28.

Why it matters

This is the first time in program history that the Laguna Hills boys basketball team has reached the section finals, marking a significant milestone for the 48-year-old program. The team's underdog status and ability to rally in the fourth quarter to secure the victory showcases their resilience and determination.

The details

Laguna Hills jumped out to an early 6-0 lead, but Moreno Valley tied the game at 18 by the end of the first quarter. The teams traded leads throughout the second and third quarters, with Moreno Valley taking a 45-43 advantage heading into the fourth. However, Laguna Hills responded with a 12-2 run to take an eight-point lead and never looked back, winning 62-51.

  • The game was played on Friday, February 20, 2026.
  • The CIF Southern Section Division 6 championship game will be played on February 27 or 28, 2026.

The players

Sean Sargeant

The head coach of the Laguna Hills boys basketball team.

Myles Mittelsteadt

The leading scorer for Laguna Hills with 21 points.

Jackson Burnham

A key contributor for Laguna Hills, scoring 20 points.

Fletcher Freeman

Scored 13 points for Laguna Hills.

Kordell Mackey

The leading scorer for Moreno Valley with 12 points.

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What they’re saying

“For three quarters tonight we weren't particularly sharp on the offensive end, but once the ball got moving we got high quality shots and capitalized on our looks. Our guys are always going to be underdogs and they carry that mentality into every game. It's forged them into the players that they are and given them the ability to withstand a well-coached team like Moreno Valley.”

— Sean Sargeant, Head Coach, Laguna Hills Boys Basketball (ocregister.com)

“In that huddle between the third and fourth quarters, our coach told us that it was our time and to go and take it. That's exactly what we did at the start of that fourth quarter. We're so incredibly grateful to have earned the opportunity to play for a championship next week.”

— Myles Mittelsteadt (ocregister.com)

“Those 3-pointers were just back-breakers for us tonight. All the credit goes to our guys for allowing me to coach them hard and putting in the work to get this far. They're fighters and we'll get back to work next week and see what we can do in the state playoffs.”

— Elzie Landers, Head Coach, Moreno Valley (ocregister.com)

What’s next

The Laguna Hills boys basketball team will play Ramona in the CIF Southern Section Division 6 championship game on February 27 or 28, 2026.

The takeaway

Laguna Hills' underdog mentality and resilience in the fourth quarter allowed them to overcome a late deficit and reach the section finals for the first time in program history, showcasing the team's determination and the potential for smaller programs to achieve success against larger opponents.