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Canyon girls basketball coach Sara Brown calls each season a “new animal.”

For the Comanches, the 2024-25 campaign couldn’t quite be tamed enough to reach the playoffs.

Canyon’s bid to reach the CIF-SS postseason ended Saturday when it failed to secure one of the four at-large bids in Division 2AA.

The Comanches (14-14), who took fourth in the tough Crestview League, were edged by Glendora (17-11) in the computer-generated power ratings for the fourth and final at-large berth. Glendora posted a 1.71 rating while Canyon had a 1.63.

This is the first season that used computer ratings to craft the playoff brackets. The other three at-large spots in Division 2AA went to Crossroads, West Torrance and Valley View.

“I’m disappointed,” said Brown, whose team is ranked No. 22 in Orange County. “My kids tried really hard. They went through a lot.”

“Our strength of schedule was really good,” the coach added.

Brown pointed out that the three teams that finished ahead of Canyon in the Crestview League — Crean Lutheran, El Dorado and Esperanza — all reached Division 1. Canyon also played Division 1-bound San Clemente in nonleague.

After capturing the CIF-SS Division 4AA title last season under Brown, Canyon returned just one starter this winter in senior Everett Roach.

The Comanches endured challenges with transfers, injuries and chemistry.

Transfers Kyara Vargas (Irvine) and Zulymar Velazquez (Northwood) each observed the sitout period and endured injuries, Brown said.

Vargas is a 6-foot-3 junior post. Velazquez is a sophomore point guard.

Anna B’Far, a sophomore from Pacifica Christian who emerged as a starter, also dealt with injury, Brown said.

In late December, sisters Legacy and Cori Benjamin, who played last season at Ontario Christian, left Canyon, Brown said.

While there were numerous challenges, Brown saw progress toward the end of the season.

“I saw a lot of great things,” she said. “We’re talented. We’re just young.”

“I’m not disappointed in my kids,” the coach added. “Hopefully this lights a fire (for next season).”

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