Girls basketball team: Back-to-back Valley League champs

Mission Vista? Check. Oceanside? Check. Valley Center, Fallbrook, Orange Glen? Check, check, check. Ramona High’s girls basketball team had to defeat each of these programs twice to claim the Valley League Champion banner and go undefeated on the season. The Lady Bulldogs are back-to-back champs, having hoisted the banner last year as well.

The secret to their success is a group of individuals who put others first, said head coach Ken Scheib.

“The girls play together really well,” he said. “They support each other on and off the court, and that translates into a winning program.”

There is not a selfish person on this team, said Scheib. “Each and every girl is willing to make that extra pass rather than taking it in themselves. They put the good of the team ahead of their own numbers. They root for each other. There is zero jealousy, just teamwork.”

The team begins postseason play this week facing the No. 9 seed, Granite Hills, at Ramona on Wednesday, Feb. 25.

The Bulldogs are ranked No. 8 in CIF Division I. The winner of the Granite Hills versus Ramona game will play the winner of No. 1 seed Poway versus No. 16 Escondido on Friday, Feb. 27, in the quarterfinals.