- Woodcreek went on a 22-11 run in the second quarter and never looked back.
- Woodcreek snaps El Capitan’s 17-game winning streak.
- Woodcreek has now beaten Merced and El Capitan in the SJS playoffs.
Thursday night began the Division 2 quarterfinals of the 2026 Sac-Joaquin Section Girls Basketball Playoffs. El Capitan High School hosted Woodcreek High School with a spot in the semifinals on the line. The teams had already faced off earlier this season, with El Capitan earning a 63-44 victory in their previous match. With that result looming in the background, and the playoffs adding another element of pressure, the atmosphere inside the Gauchos’ gym was charged with the moment as both teams looked to extend their season.
El Capitan started quickly, winning the tip-off and getting on the board, right away. Alexis Valenzuela hit a deep three to begin the scoring, then Jordynn Middleton made two of two at the free throw line. Madysen Dietz came up with a steal and pushed it up the court, keeping the energy electric. Woodcreek answered with inside buckets from Amaya Grant and free throws from Katelyn Hull; however, the Gauchos’ passing and defense kept them in control. By the end of the first quarter, El Capitan led 11-9.
In the second quarter, Woodcreek began to rally. Summer Hennessy passed to Amaya Grant for a layup, then she found Chloe Preuss for two more points to take the lead before Preuss knocked down a three pointer, putting the Timberwolves up 16-11. Katelyn Hull scored inside, and Grant added another layup off a deep pass as Woodcreek’s offense began to heat up. El Capitan tried to respond through Avnoor Bains, who got a two-point field goal, and Alexis Valenzuela, who sank another three. However, Woodcreek continued to score: Preuss knocked down a three-pointer and added a free throw. Lexi Lomaxx scored a layup, and Amaya Grant converted both of her free throws, stretching the lead for the Timberwolves. El Capitan scored a layup from Jordynn Middleton, but Preuss added two more free throws for Woodcreek. By halftime, the Timberwolves had jumped out in front 33-20.
El Capitan came out of halftime looking to cut into the deficit. Avnoor Bains scored early for two, and Jordynn Middleton added a layup to spark a small run for the Gauchos. Woodcreek answered quickly when Chloe Preuss knocked down a three, and Amaya Grant scored inside, keeping the Timberwolves in control. Katelyn Hull converted a shot in the paint, and Preuss added two free throws. El Capitan tried to respond again as Valenzuela made another three, but Woodcreek kept matching every Gaucho basket. Grant scored on a layup, and Preuss added another three-pointer, pushing the Timberwolves’ lead. By the end of the third quarter, Woodcreek had extended its advantage to 53-33, with both teams trading big shots and the scoring continuing at a rapid rate.
In the fourth quarter, Woodcreek looked to put the game away. Chloe Preuss scored inside, followed by another basket from Katelyn Hull. El Capitan’s Jordynn Middleton tried to respond by converting an offensive rebound into points, but Amaya Grant answered with a layup to maintain the Timberwolves’ margin. Later, Preuss drained a three, Hull scored inside, and Grant added another layup. The longer things went, the more Woodcreek took control. By the end, Woodcreek secured a 74-40 victory over El Capitan and a trip to the semi-finals.
After the game, Woodcreek junior Summer Hennessy reflected on the win and the team’s momentum. “I’m really excited, considering that we lost last time to El Capitan, and we’re just so excited to continue the season… Let’s just hope we can keep winning.” Hennessy also highlighted the team’s energy as a key factor. “We just kept pushing. We had so much more energy than we’ve had before,” she explained. Her comments captured how Woodcreek’s effort and focus helped them pull away in the second half as they outscored the Gauchos 41-20 and secured a 74-40 win over El Capitan.
With the win, Woodcreek advances to the semifinals and will travel to face the Antelope Titans at their home court on Tuesday, February 24, at 7:00 p.m. For El Capitan, the loss concludes their season, but the Gauchos can still be proud of an undefeated league season and the strong effort they showed throughout the year, including a competitive showing in the playoffs.
- Photos by Grace Gallegos. ↩︎
