COVINA, Calif. — Class is still in session at Northview High School, but senior Autumn Rivera finds her mind wandering.
- Northview Girls’ Basketball team make it to CIF championship
- It’s the first time the team has made it to this championship
- The team’s big game is Saturday night
"It’s definitely not on percentages, and it should be, but I’m just ready to go practice," she said.
Rivera's focus is far from the classroom, already looking towards Saturday, when her team will compete for the school’s first ever CIF basketball championship.
Once the school day is over, she and fellow senior captain Ann-Jolie Phung head to practice. They take the time to reminisce on everything they've accomplished so far.
"Being a part of the team and how it transitioned from my sophomore year to now, it’s kind of surreal to think about and crazy to process," Phung explained.
Just two years ago, the Vikings did not win a single game. This season, the tide turned as the girls took the league championship and are gearing up for a CIF title.
It's a big deal for the small school. Traditionally, a self-described "wrestling school" Northview boasts over a dozen titles in both girls' and boys’ wrestling. A win on Saturday would mean the school's first in the sport of basketball.
"Most of the banners say wrestling — all of them say wrestling," Rivera said. "So having that one banner that says CIF Girls basketball on it, we would be that team."
The girls have worked hard all season, but are kicking practice into high gear in the lead-up to Saturday night's game. Although none of the girls have ever competed in a game of this caliber, they were all confident in their ability.
"You can expect us to leave it all out on the line, no matter what the outcome is," said junior Gabby Valdez. "You’re going to see us give it everything we’ve got."