RANCHO CUCAMONGA — Etiwanda girls basketball coach Stan Delus has high expectations for his team. So despite another dominating win Wednesday, Delus wasn’t completely happy.
“We did OK,” Delus said. “I wasn’t overly happy. I like our effort at times but I think we could’ve played a lot better. I’m for improving game by game. I don’t want to take any steps backwards.”
Etiwanda’s Arynn Finley, left, tries to get by Windward’s Charis Rainey during their CIF SS Open Division girls playoff game game in Rancho Cucamonga CA on Wednesday, February 19, 2025. Etiwanda won the game 78-37. (James Quigg, Contributing Photographer)
Etiwanda’s Aliyahna Morris shoots a three point shot against Windward during their game at the school in Rancho Cucamonga CA on Wednesday, February 19, 2025. Etiwanda won the game 78-37. (James Quigg, Contributing Photographer)
Etiwanda’s Shaena Brew shooting over Windward’s Samara Durham during their CIF SS playoff pool-play game in Rancho Cucamonga CA on Wednesday, February 19, 2025. Etiwanda won the game 78-37. (James Quigg, Contributing Photographer)
Etiwanda’s Grace Knox shooing through a pair of Windward defenders during their CIF SS playoff pool-play game in Rancho Cucamonga CA on Wednesday, February 19, 2025. Etiwanda won the game 78-37. (James Quigg, Contributing Photographer)
Etiwanda’s Grace Knox battling control of a ball against Windward’s Charis Rainey during their CIF SS Open Division pool-play game in Rancho Cucamonga CA on Wednesday, February 19, 2025. Etiwanda won the game 78-37. (James Quigg, Contributing Photographer)
Etiwanda’s Chasity Rice shooting around Windward’s Amel Cook during their CIF SS playoff pool-play game in Rancho Cucamonga CA on Wednesday, February 19, 2025. Etiwanda won the game 78-37. (James Quigg, Contributing Photographer)
Etiwanda’s Grace Knox, right, reacts as Aliyahna Morris is introduced as a McDonalds All American before their game against Windward. Both Knox and Morris received the national recognition and were given their ceremonial jerseys before the game. (James Quigg, Contributing Photographer)
Etiwanda’s Principal Dr Mac Wolfe, left, offers Aliyahna Morris her McDonalds All American Jersey Athletic Director Don Furnald offers Grace Knox her jersey during a ceremony before their CIF playoff game against Windward at the school in Rancho Cucamonga CA on Wednesday, February 19, 2025. The Eagles went on to win the game as well. (James Quigg, Contributing Photographer)
Etiwanda’s Chasity Rice splits a pair of Windward defenders during their CIF Southern Section Open Division girls basketball pool-play game in Rancho Cucamonga CA on Wednesday, February 19, 2025. Etiwanda won the game 78-37. (James Quigg, Contributing Photographer)
Etiwanda’s Chasity Rice drives to the basket by Windward’s Morgan Litt during their CIF Southern Section Open Division girls basketball pool-play game in Rancho Cucamonga CA on Wednesday, February 19, 2025. Etiwanda won the game 78-37. (James Quigg, Contributing Photographer)
Etiwanda’s Aliyah Phillips driving the lane during their game against Windward in Rancho Cucamonga CA on Wednesday, February 19, 2025. Etiwanda won the game 78-37. (James Quigg, Contributing Photographer)
Etiwanda’s Grace Knox reacts after hitting a three point shot against Windward during their CIF SS playoff game at the school in Rancho Cucamonga CA on Wednesday, February 19, 2025. Etiwanda won the game 78-37. (James Quigg, Contributing Photographer)
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Etiwanda’s Arynn Finley, left, tries to get by Windward’s Charis Rainey during their CIF SS Open Division girls playoff game game in Rancho Cucamonga CA on Wednesday, February 19, 2025. Etiwanda won the game 78-37. (James Quigg, Contributing Photographer)
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Backward steps were not clear by the score Wednesday, a 78-37 victory over Windward in a CIF Southern Section Open Division pool play game at Etiwanda High School. It was Etiwanda’s 20th straight win, all of which have been by at least 20 points.
No. 2 Etiwanda (24-4) has won its first two pool play games and will host No. 3 Mater Dei on Saturday with the winner advancing to the Open Division championship game
“Now we’ve got the most high-profile private school that we’ve been battling for 10 years,” Delus said. “We’d better be ready to compete because it’s going to be a battle on Saturday.”
Etiwanda got off to a quick start Wednesday, scoring the first 16 points before the No. 6 Wildcats (18-9) got their first points on a basket by Samari Bankhead (10 points) with just less than 3 minutes left in the first quarter. The lead continued to grow to 36-9 in the second quarter.
“I felt the first seven minutes, our intensity was good, even though we weren’t scoring well,” Delus said. “But then we got comfortable. I never want to be that team. We give them confidence when they hit a couple of shots.
“I thought second half, execution was a lot better, rebounding was a lot better.”
A scrappy but out-manned Wildcats team did their best to hustle for rebounds and loose balls, but the Eagles kept extending the lead, making it 61-24 in the final minute of the third quarter.
Aliyahna “Puff” Morris led Etiwanda with 23 points, while Arynn Finley added 11 of her 14 points in the first half and added six rebounds. Grace Knox had 12 points and 12 rebounds, and Chasity Rice added 10 points off the bench.
Before the game, Morris and Knox were presented with framed jerseys to recognize them for their selection to play in the McDonald’s All-American Game later this spring.
“Not many people get to experience it,” Morris said of the McDonald’s honor. “Going back two years I didn’t think I’d be one. I’ll soak it in now.”
Morris said she saw some positives from Wednesday.
“I think we played really hard tonight. We came out very aggressive,” Morris said. “I think we can do a little better on the offensive end and get a few more rebounds.”
Delus believes his team will rise to the challenge of playing Mater Dei, a team the Eagles have not faced since the state playoffs last year.
“If we don’t win this (next) game, we don’t get to our fourth straight sectional championship. I’m hoping now what’s at stake will keep them from being comfortable,” Delus said.
