Claremont High School girls teams dominated in CIF play over the weekend, with two teams heading to the semifinal match this week.

Girls Basketball

Following a disappointing loss to Diamond Bar in the final game of the regular season, girls basketball has been on a tear in the CIF Division 3A Southern Section playoffs.

First up was a stunning 46-43 upset of number-three ranked St. Mary’s Academy in the first round on Thursday in Inglewood.

The Belles were undefeated in the Camino Real League and had a 20-7 record overall, but Claremont brought their season to a screaming halt. St. Mary’s had a comfortable 22-15 lead at the half, but Claremont stomped them in the third quarter, tacking on 16 points to St. Mary’s 7. In the final quarter, the Belles finally woke up but could not close the gap.

Coach Mike James remarked earlier this month, “I don’t want to be the one who has to play us in the first round [of CIF],” and boy did that come true.

However, that result was no fluke, and the Pack followed up with a narrow 42-39 victory over the San Luis Obispo Tigers on Saturday in San Luis Obispo.

This was a much more evenly matched game, but Claremont seemed to dominate with a six-point advantage at the half which the girls extended to ten points after three quarters. The Tigers made their move in the fourth quarter, and nearly pulled off the come from behind win, but the Pack held on.

The girls are now headed into the quarterfinals with a match on Wednesday against Saugus at a yet to be determined location.

Girls water polo

Claremont continued its winning streak with two victories in the CIF Southern Section Championship Tournament.

On Thursday the Pack defeated Dana Hills, 13-7, at home in the first round. The girls then traveled to Downey where they dominated once again with a 16-7 victory over Temple City.

The girls will travel to the Wollett Aquatic Center for the semifinal match against Woodrow Wilson on Wednesday.

Girls soccer

The Pack is still in the running after a decisive 3-0 victory over Yucaipa last Thursday in Yucaipa. Savanna Beans, Elisabeth Chua and Janelle Gutierrez each scored with assists from Kyra Tisopulos, Oksana Sosnovsky and Gutierrez.

Claremont hosts Redondo Union in the second round on Tuesday.