High school basketball recaps involving McLane, Sierra Pacific, Torres and Orosi
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- McLane clinched Division IV title with clutch free throws and Keyvon Burcher
- Sierra Pacific defended Division II crown via balanced scoring and poise
- Orosi won Division VI — its first Central Section title since 1939
The final minutes felt longer than the previous 28 combined; every possession was magnified, and every whistle echoed inside Selland Arena.
And when it mattered most, McLane was steady.
The Highlanders outlasted Sanger West 61-57 in a Central Section Division IV championship game, sealing the title with clutch free-throw shooting down the stretch and a poised performance from guard Keyvon Burcher.
Burcher poured in 21 points, but his calm at the free-throw line ultimately decided the championship.
It was McLane first section title since 1962, according to section historian Bob Barnett.
With Sanger West applying pressure and the margin razor-thin in the fourth quarter, Burcher repeatedly stepped to the stripe and delivered, knocking down 11 of his 12 attempts — many in the final minutes — to keep the Highlanders in front.
Each made felt like a dagger to the Hornets’ comeback hopes.
Sanger West battled throughout, trading runs and refusing to let McLane pull away. The Hornets’ physical defense and timely shooting kept the game within a possession deep into the fourth quarter.
But as the tension mounted, McLane leaned into a strength it had emphasized all season.
“We’ve talked all season about finishing games at the free-throw line and trusting the work we’ve put in,” McLane coach Mitchell Davis-Chachere said. “Keyvon stepped up in a big way tonight, and our guys showed heart against a tough Sanger West team.”
The Highlanders’ composure was evident in the closing moments.
Rather than rushing possessions or playing not to lose, they attacked the rim, absorbed contact and forced the Hornets to foul.
Trip after trip, McLane converted from the line, turning pressure into points.
For Davis-Chachere, the victory was about more than one standout performance. It was about growth, belief, and resilience built over months.
“This championship is a testament to their commitment and belief in each other,” he said.
Division II girls
Back on the biggest stage, the Sierra Pacific Golden Bears proved their title run was no fluke.
Sierra Pacific pulled away from Bakersfield Christian Eagles for a 64-48 victory in the Central Section Division II championship, securing back-to-back titles under coach Victor Chavarin Jr..
If last year was a breakthrough, this year was validation.
“I think it validates our program and our structure and what we’re trying to do,” Chavarin said. “It definitely feels sweeter winning the second one. But I’ll never forget last year.”
Returning to Selland Arena brought a different feeling this time around. A year ago, Chavarin admitted he was overwhelmed before tipoff.
“Before the game started last year, I wanted to throw up,” he said with a laugh. “But getting that experience, getting comfortable, not many teams get to experience this. So we made it a goal to be back on this stage. And we did it.”
The Golden Bears showcased their growth with a balanced attack, placing five players in double figures. Lylah (Love) and Mia (McLemore) helped set the early tone, and when Bakersfield Christian made a push behind a standout performance from its No. 23, Sierra Pacific stayed composed.
“Breathe,” Chavarin recalled telling his team late in the game. “Control the controllables. Make smart passes. Get better defensively. Just relax and play team basketball.”
That poise was forged early. The Golden Bears opened the season 0-7 against a brutal schedule that included powerhouses like Mater Dei Monarchs, Sierra Canyon Trailblazers and Clovis West Golden Eagles.
“0-7 isn’t pretty,” Chavarin said. “But it prepared us. We’re never going to shy away from anybody.”
Division IV
The third time during championship week proved to be the charm.
After watching both the boys’ and girls’ soccer programs fall short of section titles, the Toros made sure there would be no more near-misses.
Torres powered past Tulare Union 34-23 to capture the Central Section Division IV championship, leaning on the defensive identity that coach Jose Villalobos built from the ground up.
“Defensively, that’s kind of our staple,” Villalobos said after the win. “We work on that every single day. We had a game plan, and we ran it to perfection.”
From the opening tip, the Toros dictated the tone. They cut off driving lanes, took away preferred angles and forced Tulare Union into uncomfortable spots on the floor. Every rotation was sharp. Every closeout was purposeful. The result was a frustrated Tribe offense that never found rhythm.
“We were taking certain angles away from different players and kind of disrupted their whole offense,” Villalobos said. “I believe that’s one of the reasons why they struggled to score. And the boys just maintained it and kept doing it.”
Division VI
With a 57-42 victory over Summit Charter Collegiate Academy, Orosi captured the Central Section Division VI championship — its first section title since 1939, according to Barnett.
For coach Jeremy Gomez, the moment was overwhelming.
“Oh, God,” Gomez said. “I’m just so happy for my guys. I’ve had the privilege to be with them pretty much every day the last few years. Summer league, spring, fall — and then the actual season is such a grind. I couldn’t be more happy for them.”
The Cardinals’ journey to a championship stage was anything but smooth.
Orosi opened the season shorthanded, playing its first handful of games with just seven available players. One was a baseball player. Another was a foreign exchange student. The football team was still making a postseason run, leaving the Cardinals to scrape by with essentially five rotation players in their first four or five contests.
“We really played with five kids,” Gomez said. “The football guys were still going. We just had to piece it together.”
This story was originally published February 28, 2026 at 7:09 AM.
