Top stars, best performances last week in Northern California high school basketball (Feb. 28 - March 6)

It was primarily familiar faces who stole the show in the penultimate week of the Northern California high school basketball season.

Lead photo by Jim Malone

It's finally regional/state championship week in California high school basketball, which means last week was the second-to-last week of the season. Throughout NorCal last week – in the first of the state playoffs – it was mostly the same stars stepping up who we've seen dominate all season long.

Here's a look at the top performers in high school boys and girls basketball last week (Feb. 21-27) throughout Northern California. Note that all playoff games referenced were part of the CIF State/Northern Regional playoffs, and a Regional championship game is also the same thing as a State semifinal.

Note: Entries are based on information provided by coaches, statisticians, media members and high school basketball fans. Don’t see any details for your team’s game? Email some stats to lance@scorebooklive.com.

GIRLS BASKETBALL:

Nicole Steiner, Los Altos C:

Steiner went off to lift the Wildcats over Lick-Wilmerding 52-51 in the first round of the Division 2 playoffs, going for a career-high 25 points and 22 rebounds, four assists, and three steals.

Mary Carter, Antelope F:

In the first two rounds of the Division 2 playoffs, Carter averaged 32 points, 15.5 rebounds, four assists, and 3.5 blocks per game on 60% shooting (64.3% EFG) for the Titans, who are in the Regional finals.

Renaissance Johnson, Weed C:

Johnson averaged 28.5 PPG in the first two rounds of the Division 6 Regional playoffs to get the Cougars into the championship game.

Hannah Golan, Branson F:

Congratulations to Hannah Golan (Branson) for reaching 1,000 career points and helping her team win the NCS Championship!#northbaybasketballacademy #basketball #aaubasketball pic.twitter.com/DNddROJkE3

— North Bay Basketball Academy (NBBA) (@NBBANorthBay) March 1, 2022

Golan led the Bulls to the Division 4 Regional finals averaging 23 points and 12.7 rebounds per game through their three wins.

Gabbie Gascon, Argonaut G:

Gascon scored 22 points in Argonaut's Regional semifinal win against Mills.

Brianna Humphrees, Dixon F:

Humphrees led the Rams to a 58-46 State playoff win against Chico with 15 points, 10 rebounds, five blocks, two assists, and three steals on 7-13 shooting.

Valentina Saric, Priory F:

Saric totaled 28 points, six rebounds, and two assists on 8-16 shooting (6-11 3FG) in a first round win over Clovis.

Gracie Williams, Valley Christian (Roseville) G:

Williams scored 28 points to help lead the Lions past South Fork 90-60 in the Division 6 Regional semifinals.

Mariah Contreras, Valley Christian (Roseville) G:

Contreras had 27 points for Valley Christian in their semifinal win.

Meadow Roland, San Joaquin Memorial F:

One game at a time‼️ Our march in March continue. Thank you all for everyone who came out in “white” to support your lady panthers. 👏#welldone @FlashDNA2023 @meadow_roland @AshaSra1 @saiya_sidhu Haley @AlexisSwillis @GabbymRamos @Sienna2025 @lexa_raquelle Rachel pic.twitter.com/TBxveveKBJ

— Panther Hoops (@SJMGirlsHoops) March 6, 2022

Roland led the Panthers to the Division 2 Regional finals averaging 21 points, 8.3 rebounds, three blocks, and two steals per game on 51% EFG.

Ahhray Young, Laguna Creek G:

Young had 24 points, 10 rebounds, five steals, and two blocks in a 62-60 first round win against Saint Francis (Mountain View). Zoe Tillery had 24 points as well for the Cardinals.

Sydney Stewart, Saint Francis (Mountain View) C:

Despite the Lancers' loss, Stewart was dominant with 30 points, 13 rebounds, and two steals on 11-18 shooting.

Giselle Rodriguez, Fall River F:

Rodriguez went off for 29 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and three steals on 14-20 shooting to help lead the Bulldogs to a rout of Sacramento Adventist in the Division 6 Regional semifinals.

Mercedes Humphreys, Fall River G:

Humphreys scored 19 points on 8-11 shooting and notched seven rebounds, seven assists, and five steals.

Silvia Fonongaloa, Salesian C:

Fonongaloa averaged 18 points, eight rebounds, and two blocks per game in the Pride's Regional quarterfinals and semifinals victories. Makiah Asidanya also had a big week for Salesian.

Morgan Cheli, Archbishop Mitty F:

Photo by Jim Malone

Cheli helped lead the Monarchs to the Open Division Regional finals averaging 18 points, 8.5 rebounds, three assists, and 2.5 steals per game on 60.9% shooting (67.4% EFG).

Maile Bateman, Crystal Springs Uplands G:

Bateman averaged 18.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, four assists, and 3.5 steals per game on 50% shooting (55.4% EFG) to help lead the Gryphons to the Division 5 Regional semifinals.

Jemma Lacap, Crystal Springs Uplands G:

Lacap averaged 18 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 3.7 APG, and 1.7 SPG in the Gryphons' three Regional playoff games, and scored a team-high 22 points in their narrow semifinals loss to San Domenico.

Kiki Afeaki, Capuchino C:

Afeaki had 19 points, 13 rebounds, and three blocks in Capuchino's Division 3 Regional semifinal win against Enterprise. Hailey Hoff and Arianna Jordan also had big games for the Mustangs.

BOYS BASKETBALL:

Noah Thomas, Pleasant Valley (Chico) G:

‘22 Pleasant Valley (CA) guard Noah Thomas led the way w/ 21p in an OT win over Lincoln. Showcased his toughness, creating, poise, finishing & defensive chops. Multi-sport athlete (🏈 & track) who’d prefer to play 🏀 at the next level. Has drawn interest from D3 & D2s + Sac State pic.twitter.com/ooJGyzjsF1

— Tyler Glazier (@tyler_glazier) March 6, 2022

Thomas had the best week of his career to lead the Vikings to the Division 3 Regional semifinals averaging 25.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.7 steals per game on a whopping 66.7% shooting and 71.4% EFG.

Ameere Britton, Elk Grove G:

THE most exciting electrifying unsigned senior will be on display this week. Coaches please just take a peek if you haven’t. @ameere_britton pic.twitter.com/3lyDTdVKrx

— nate ford (@sfrebels) February 28, 2022

Britton averaged 22.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, four assists, and two steals per game on 55.6% shooting (61.1% EFG) to get the Thundering Herd to the Division 2 State semifinals.

Aidan Braccia, Sacred Heart Prep G:

A game-high 28 points tonight for @AidanBraccia, who knocked down four 3-pointers and made all eight of his free throws. @SHPAthletics was a perfect 14-for-14 at the line. pic.twitter.com/02vNIgav7W

— Ethan Kassel (@KasselMedia) March 2, 2022

Braccia averaged 26.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.3 steals per game on 50% shooting (64.3% EFG) to lead the Gators to a 2-1 record in the Division 1 state playoffs.

Drew Vizenor, St. Bernard's G:

Vizenor led the Crusaders, who are in the Division 6 Regional finals, with 26 points in their first-round State victory against Elliot Christian.

Tayo Sobomehin, Priory G:

Sobomehin had 21 points, six steals, and four assists in the Panthers' Regional quarterfinals win over Denair, and 20 points to beat Cloverdale in the Regional semis.

Aidan Mahaney, Campolindo G:

Campolindo final was 62-44 over Riordan. Bay Area’s leading two players are below. Aidan Mahaney had high praise for King-Jhsanni Wilhite. pic.twitter.com/0O9rXk4RDv

— Cal-Hi Sports (@CalHiSports) March 6, 2022

Mahaney had 24 points and three assists to lead the Cougars to a 66-42 Open Division Regional Semifinals win against Archbishop Riordan.