High School

Highlights: Reigning regional champion Santiago (Corona) defeats Westchester at H.O.P.E. Showcase

4-star senior Destiny Agubata led the Sharks to an impressive preseason showing

Lance Smith, SBLive Sports

CYPRESS, Calif. - Santiago (Corona) girls basketball had its second banner year in a row last season.

After going largely under the radar on their way to a CIFSS 2-A title in 2021-22, the Sharks didn't sneak up on anybody in 2022-23. But they still made a section Open Division playoff appearance and won the Division 1 Southern Region championship.

Despite graduating some key pieces from last year's team, it's safe to say that Santiago isn't going under the radar again in 2023-24. In addition to returning Rylee Ghent, Jayda Cobbs, and Zawadi Ogot, Santiago now has one of the best players in California – 4-star forward/guard Destiny Agubata – ready to go after missing her junior year to injury. And a handful of solid contributors around that core.

In their first game at the 2023 H.O.P.E. Showcase, Santiago rolled to a 45-26 win over reigning CIFLACS Open Division champion Westchester. Agubata led the way with 15 points and a handful of every thing else, and Ghent added 11 points.

MORE: WESTCHESTER'S HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE GAME

Santiago (Corona) girls basketball2
Photo by Lance Smith
Santiago (Corona) girls basketball1

– Lance Smith | lance@scorebooklive.com | @sbliveca

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Lance Smith, SBLive Sports
LANCE SMITH, SBLIVE SPORTS

Lance Smith is a veteran high school sports reporter who worked previously with SBLive Sports covering basketball, football, and softball in California's Southern Section and LA City Section and has returned as contributor to High School On SI in 2025. He also covers Nevada and National Girls Basketball. A graduate of The USC Marshall School of Business, Smith dabbles in linear algebra and football and basketball computer rankings.

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