The Saint Francis girls’ basketball team’s electric 8-0 start in the preseason earned them the sixth seed in the CCS Open Division Playoff Bracket. With their electric style of play and winning mentality, they are the team to watch during the playoffs this year. Overall, they finished with a record of 6-6 in WCAL and 17-8 throughout the regular season, a significant improvement from last year.
A lot of players have stepped up this year, no matter their grade. Sophomores Grace Curley (’27) and Sophie Holmes (’27) have been putting on incredible performances defensively. Curley is averaging 2.2 steals and 7.4 rebounds per game. Holmes ended the preseason and regular season with nine blocks on the year and averaged a block per game, and Curley ended with 26 steals total. On the scoring front, Paige Spencer (’26) leads the team with 12.4 points per game and has scored over 150 points this season. Her sharpshooting abilities from mid-range and from behind the arc have been incredibly important in the Lancers’ success so far this year. Another influential player this year has been Maia Jimenez (’25), who leads the team in assists by nearly double that of the next player. With forty assists this season and averaging 3.5 assists per game, she is able to dictate the flow of the game, which proves to be a huge upside for the Lancers.
The Lancers’ great ball movement, accuracy behind the arc, and organized defense has kept many opposing teams under fifty points. When watching these games, effective communication is very apparent. Clearly, the Lancers know their job and execute it well. On their senior night, the seniors showed out in a dominant 12-point victory over Valley Christian High School. The Lancers controlled the game from start to finish, with a great effort on both ends of the floor, effectively preventing any hopes of a comeback from the Warriors. Head coach Sami Pompei’s motivation and tactical approach have also helped the Lancers earn a spot in the CCS open division. She demands constant hard work and discipline, and each player has incredible respect for her and the passion she demonstrates for the game.
For the CCS Open Division, Saint Francis are seeded sixth and placed in Pool B. Come out and support the Lancers throughout their playoff run!
