Sports

Actions

Three out of four local basketball teams secure a valley championship at Selland Arena on Friday

Three local basketball teams win basketball valley championships on Friday
Posted
and last updated

FRESNO, Calif. — Four Kern County teams opened up Central Section finals on Friday at Selland Arena in Fresno and out of those four, only three were able to walk away with a valley title.

In Division 5, the East Bakersfield Blades won their first valley championship in program history after reaching the finals for the first time in 84 years, beating top-seeded Strathmore, 43-39.

In Division 3, the Arvin Bears ended their sectional run as runner-ups as they couldn't handle the Porterville Panthers hot shooting, falling 65-39.

In Division 3 for the boys, top-seeded Bakersfield Christian finally was able to walk away from Selland Arena as champs for the first time after two straight losses in the finals. The Eagles won with a big second half effort, 62-44.

And in Division 1, the Bakersfield Drillers won their third straight valley championship as they took out Arroyo Grande 53-43. This was their first valley title in D1.

These teams will wait to see their seedings for state playoffs on Sunday.

,

Weather

Daily Forecast

View Hourly Forecast

Day

Conditions

HI / LO

Precip

Wednesday

12/31/2025

Showers Late

-° / 53°

64%

Thursday

01/01/2026

Partly Cloudy

63° / 48°

11%

Friday

01/02/2026

Cloudy

62° / 56°

7%

Saturday

01/03/2026

Showers

61° / 52°

34%

Sunday

01/04/2026

Showers

59° / 49°

59%

Monday

01/05/2026

Showers Late

57° / 46°

31%

Tuesday

01/06/2026

Showers

55° / 44°

43%

Wednesday

01/07/2026

Showers Early

53° / 43°

31%