Vanden girls home, Armijo on road to open NorCals

FAIRFIELD — There was some good news for two local girls basketball teams when the CIF released its NorCal playoff brackets Sunday.

The best news was for Vanden High, which earned a home game and will host Encinal of Alameda at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

“Hopefully we have a lot of people coming out to support us,” Vikings coach Allison Johnson said. “The administration, they are amazing. There are alumni, an extended family. Getting a home playoff game is really fun for our community.”

One thing that may be a disadvantage for Vanden is the fact that Johnson’s team hasn’t faced Encinal in nearly a decade, but that doesn’t deter her.

“We played them nine years ago,” Johnson said. “You know some stuff, like they were successful enough to get here. But no matter who we play, we focus on us, regardless of the opponent.”

Johnson also had some insight on what it’s going to take for the Vikings (27-4) to keep their season alive.

“We’re going to need to take care of the ball and rebound, and then execute the opportunities that represent themselves, Johnson said.”

Armijo High also got some decent news, though it will open the NorCals on the road.

The Indians (23-7) go up against McClymonds High of Oakland, but the game will be played on a neutral court at Oakland Tech High. That game is also Wednesday and is scheduled to start at 6 p.m.

“I don’t know much about them,” Armijo coach Christian Stoll said Sunday night. “I know they are a good team, but I don’t know much about McClymonds.”

Stoll said that the neutral court could play to the Indians’ advantage.

“We’ve never played at McClymonds or Oakland Tech,” Stoll said. “But it can’t hurt to play on a neutral court. I’m guessing (McClymonds) has a small gym.”

As for what it’s going to take for Armijo to advance to the second round?

“We need to focus and practice the next couple of days and get better the next two days,” said Stoll. “I think it’s a winnable game for us, if we come out with intensity.”

The Vikings are coming off a 61-56 loss to Christian Brothers of Sacramento in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III championship game.

The Indians’ last game was a 94-61 defeat to national powerhouse St. Mary’s of Stockton in the SJS Division I semifinals.

Reach Brian Arnold at 427-6969 or barnold@dailyrepublic.net. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/barnolddr.

Brian Arnold

1992 graduate of San Francisco State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism.

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