Preview: Cypress Faces Moorpark in 3C2A SoCal Regional Final

MOORPARK, Calif. (Interstat) — A berth in the California Community College Athletic Association state championship tournament is on the line Saturday when the No. 6-seeded Cypress Chargers visit the Moorpark Raiders in the 3C2A Southern California Regional women’s basketball final.

Tip-off is set for 3 p.m. at Moorpark College.

The Raiders (25-3), riding a 12-game winning streak, enter as the region’s top remaining seed and boast one of the state’s best records. Their defense has been stifling, holding opponents to 40 points or fewer in five of their last six contests, including a 55-53 nail-biter over Bakersfield in the previous round. Forward Maleyni Tolliver, a consistent double-double threat, paced Moorpark in that win with 12 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks.

The Chargers (22-7), winners of five straight, present a formidable challenge. They advanced with a 51-42 victory over Long Beach, led by forward Marina Interiano’s 12 points and nine rebounds and a dominant 16-point, 17-rebound performance from Christaesha Jackson. Interiano has been pivotal during the streak, recording a 13-point, 19-rebound, five-assist game against Saddleback on Feb. 12.

Moorpark’s path featured several lopsided conference wins, including an 89-33 rout of Allan Hancock where Tolliver posted 17 points, nine rebounds and five assists. Their only result within single digits since January was the tight win over Bakersfield.

Cypress has shown resilience in close games, with four of its last five victories coming by 11 points or fewer. A key for the Chargers will be containing a Moorpark squad that has won by an average margin of 33.5 points in its last four non-forfeit games.

The matchup pits Moorpark’s elite defense against a Cypress team peaking in the postseason. The winner advances to the CCCAA state final eight.