CORONA, Calif. — Walk into the Corona Centennial basketball gym on any afternoon, and chances are you'll probably hear sophomore guard Jared McCain before seeing him. 

McCain is a member of a dynamic trio of Huskies that have set the tone with their play and with their vibrant energy this season.

"I feel like, in high school with this team, I was like, 'We need some energy.' We have practice every day," McCain said. "So, I was like, I have to bring the energy, get a little loud, be a little extra, but it's all fun."

It's head coach Josh Giles' emphasis on having fun and letting loose that makes this Centennial team special. Whether it's filming TikTok videos in the locker room or cheering each other on from the court, this team is loud and upbeat but can also settle down and make plays.

"I think it's what we do off the court. We're goofy, we're friends. On the court, we just build chemistry and play together." McCain said. "I think it creates this 'it's time to play' mentality, like we all have to be ready," he continued. "Let's have fun with it but still do our thing."

Their chemistry is evident in the way they play with the roster featuring a starting five capable of scoring in the double figures on any given night. Headlining for the Huskies is a group of young players, including McCain, sophomore guard Kylan Boswell, and junior guard Donovan Dent. The three lead the program to its first Open Division final.

Centennial may have lost the opening game in the division's pool play against Harvard Westlake, but they have earned their spot in the championship and are ready to make a statement. 

"We know we have the whole Inland Empire behind us," Dent said. "We just wanna be the one team to get over the hump of beating the private schools."

"Every time we step on the court, we're gonna give it our all," Boswell echoed. "When we're on the court, we play together, and that's what sets us apart from other teams."

The opportunity to cap off a unique year with a CIF title is on their minds every time they set foot on campus. The championship game may be coming with school out for summer, but it's nonetheless a special chance for these players. 

McCain is hopeful that the team's work ethic through the year has prepared them for the challenge. 

"One way to describe Centennial is just hardworking," he said. "We're in the gym 24/7 and trying to build each other up, come together and win games."

It may be a tall task, taking on the reigning champion Sierra Canyon, but ask these Huskies, and they will be the first to tell say they've got plenty of fight still left.