Valencia Girls Basketball Reaches D1 Semifinals After Coach Honig's Move

Valencia High girls' basketball team is now in the D1 semifinals, a big step up from a 7-17 record three years ago. Senior Cara McKell averages 18.4 points per game.
By Newsroom | Sports, Basketball |

Coach Jared Honig has led the Valencia High girls' basketball team to the Southern Section Division 1 semifinals. This marks a significant advancement for the program, with the team set to play Windward in a playoff game. This achievement follows a decision Honig made three years prior to leave his coaching position at Granada Hills for Valencia, seeking a shorter commute and to be closer to his family.

Program's Ascent and Key Players

Valencia's current success is being credited, in part, to the senior class that arrived three years ago. Coach Honig noted that this group helped to improve a program that had a 7-17 record the season before their arrival.

  • Cara McKell: A senior player who was celebrated on senior night, McKell has been a driving force for the team. Her contributions include taking care of the ball, making important shots, and playing tough defense. She was named Foothill League Co-Player of the Year last season, averaging 18.4 points and 7.5 rebounds per game.

  • Kamilla Basyrova: A sophomore wing, Basyrova has had a strong season, scoring 14 points in a recent victory and surpassing 1,000 career points in a game against Castaic. She was a first-team all-Foothill League selection last year, averaging 19.4 points per game.

Season Highlights and Performance

The Valencia girls' basketball team has demonstrated a consistent winning record.

  • They began their season with back-to-back wins.

  • In a game against West Ranch, Valencia secured a decisive victory with a score of 69-30.

  • The team established a strong lead in the first quarter, going up 21-8 after a 12-0 run.

  • They extended their lead to 47-28 by halftime.

  • A dominant third quarter saw them outscore West Ranch 23-6.

  • The team is currently on an undefeated league run.

  • The team has secured its first playoff win under Coach Honig.

Player Statistics from the 2025-26 Season Preview

Player statistics from the 2025-26 season preview offer insight into the team's scoring and rebounding capabilities:

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PlayerAverage Points (Last Season)Average Rebounds (Last Season)Accolades
Cara McKell18.47.5Foothill League Co-Player of the Year
Kamilla Basyrova19.4N/AFirst-team all-Foothill League
Rios13N/AN/A
Gonzalez10.8N/AN/A
Correa1010Double-double average
Badua9.6N/AN/A
Ambartsumyan77.9N/A

Coaching Transition and Team Impact

Coach Jared Honig's decision to move to Valencia High three years ago appears to have coincided with a positive shift in the team's performance. The team's current standing in the Division 1 semifinals suggests a sustained period of growth and success under his guidance.

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How did Coach Honig help the Valencia girls' basketball team?
Coach Jared Honig led the Valencia High girls' basketball team to the Southern Section Division 1 semifinals. This is a major success for the team, which had a 7-17 record before he arrived three years ago.
Q: What are the key player achievements for Valencia?
Senior Cara McKell, who averages 18.4 points, was named Foothill League Co-Player of the Year. Sophomore Kamilla Basyrova has scored over 1,000 career points and was a first-team all-league selection.
Q: What were some recent game highlights for Valencia?
The team had a big win against West Ranch, 69-30, and is currently undefeated in league play. They also secured their first playoff win under Coach Honig.
Q: When did Coach Honig make the move to Valencia?
Coach Jared Honig decided to leave his coaching job at Granada Hills for Valencia three years ago. This move helped him have a shorter commute and be closer to his family.