Coachella Valley High School Basketball Teams Ready for CIF Playoffs

The high school basketball season in the Coachella Valley is nearing its conclusion, but not before the excitement of the CIF playoffs kicks off on Wednesday. Six local teams are in the running for a championship, with Palm Desert and the Coachella Valley Mighty Arabs securing home games in the first round. However, the other four teams – Rancho Mirage, Palm Springs, Indio, and Desert Hot Springs – will be hitting the road, hoping to return home for the next round of playoffs.

The Desert Empire League (DEL), known for its tough competition, will be represented by three teams in the playoffs. According to the DEL head coaches, their teams have been well-prepared for this moment, with a schedule that includes tough out-of-valley matchups. These coaches believe their experience against higher-level competition throughout the season has sharpened their teams for the challenges they’ll face in the playoffs.

"We prepare for these types of games all year, not just towards the end," said one of the coaches. "We go down to Orange County a couple times, we go down to L.A. a couple times, so we’re used to playing outside the valley. We’re excited about the opportunity to play in the CIF playoffs."

Despite the excitement, one challenge facing some teams is the distance, with some matches being hours away from home. One coach pointed out the importance of executing their game plan to secure a win, especially when facing teams from other regions, like Long Beach Jordan.

Each playoff game will tip off tomorrow night at 7 p.m. A potential showdown between Palm Springs and Rancho Mirage looms large in round two, as both teams could meet if they win their respective games. This matchup would add another chapter to what has become a growing rivalry within the DEL.

As the playoffs unfold, Coachella Valley teams are geared up for an intense road ahead, eager to make a deep run toward the championship.