The Dons secured the CIF title with a victory over Desert Hot Springs High School on Saturday, Feb. 28 at Azusa Pacific University, marking a milestone moment for the program and the school’s athletic history. The championship represents the first CIF title earned by a women’s basketball sports team at Sierra Vista High School.
The team finished the regular season as the Montview League runner-up, with Cailei Buna, Alyssa Winlock and Mareessa Navarro earning First Team All-League honors for their standout performances throughout the season.
Following their CIF championship win, Sierra Vista advanced to the CIF State Tournament, marking the program’s first appearance in state playoffs. The Dons competed in Round 1 against Foothill High School in Bakersfield, where they came up short but concluded the season with strong momentum and pride after a remarkable postseason run.
Head Coach Sandra Duckering, known to students as “Coach Duck,” said the championship victory was especially meaningful after a challenging start to the season. Duckering reflected on the adversity the team faced early in the year, including injuries that forced player and position adjustments, unexpected losses and difficult scoring deficits. Despite those hurdles, Duckering said the team’s resilience and chemistry became the foundation of their success. “This group of girls had something special,” Duckering said. “They bonded, worked extremely hard and kept realigning themselves every time they faced a challenge.”
Duckering also credited a simple but effective strategy that helped strengthen the team’s focus: collecting players’ phones before practices and games in what she calls the team’s “phone bucket.” The practice encouraged players to disconnect from their devices and be fully present with their teammates and coaches. The approach gained attention following the team’s championship win during a morning radio interview and was also highlighted in coverage by CBS News Los Angeles.
Players said the team’s mindset played a key role in their success throughout the season. Junior Cailei Buna said the team remained focused even when faced with setbacks. “This season we were really locked in,” Buna said. “We didn’t let the losses get to us. When the wins started coming and we qualified for CIF, we stayed focused on our goals and kept pushing forward.”
Senior Alyssa Winlock, one of the team’s captains, said helping keep the team motivated and united was a priority throughout the season. “As a captain, I wanted to keep everyone positive and engaged,” Winlock said. “This win means so much to me, especially during my senior year. It’s something we worked incredibly hard for.”
The Dons’ historic season has drawn widespread recognition from the community and media outlets, including features by CBS News Los Angeles (Channel 9) and CNN 10.
The City of Baldwin Park has also recognized the team for their accomplishments, and the players will be formally honored by the Baldwin Park Unified School District Board of Education and Superintendent Dr. Froilan N. Mendoza during the BPUSD District Showcase on March 28, where the community will celebrate the team’s historic achievement.
As the season concludes, coaches and players alike are reflecting on the journey with gratitude.
Photos
SVHS Girls Basketball Team poses for a group photo in the gym.
SVHS Girls Basketball Team poses in the locker room at APU following their game win.
SVHS Girls Basketball players, coaches, and athletic director pose for a photo with CBS News Crew on campus.