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Richard Yoon’s “farewell tour” as Rosary’s girls basketball coach will make a special stop in Ontario on Friday.

For the fourth time in his storied career, Yoon will guide the Royals into a CIF-SS championship game. Rosary (18-12) plays Rolling Hills Prep (20-8) in the Division 2A final at Toyota Arena at 2 p.m.

Yoon, 54, has said this season is “probably” his last at the helm as he focuses on his new job as the principal at St. Bonaventure Catholic School in Huntington Beach.

“It’s an incredible farewell experience,” Yoon said of the upcoming section final. “I’m just glad for this team because they’re young but they’re experiencing something that a lot teams will never do.”

“You get into the business because of the kids,” the coach added. “You don’t really get care about the wins and losses. But this definitely builds a community.”

Yoon has been cherishing his relationships on his “farewell tour.” In his 31st season at Rosary, he has enjoyed connecting with referees and his former standout players such as Asia Avinger and Becky Obinma.

Avinger, now playing at Georgia, recently called to congratulate Yoon while Obinma attended the team’s semifinal victory on Saturday.

This season, Yoon has teamed with his heir apparent, Leslie Aragon, and assistant coach Mike Roberts to mold a team a team that starts four sophomores and a junior.

Yoon has seen growth from a squad featuring sophomores Isabella Holmes, Riyanna Meaders, his daughter Kylie, Sophie Lickl and Maddie White and junior forward Kate Duarte.

The Royals received an at-large berth in Division 2A after finishing fourth in the Pacific Coast League, which produced Open Division qualifier Sage Hill and Division 2AA semifinalist Portola.

“We’re very young and sometimes we do some very young things but overall, our defense has always been our signature,” Yoon said. “The shooting is sometimes inconsistent, but lately in the playoffs, we’re starting to make it all click.”

“Like I always say, you just got to play your best basketball in February or March,” added Yoon, who has led Rosary to two section titles (1999, 2017), two state championships (2017, 2019) and three CIF SoCal regional crowns.

Yoon, who play basketball at Gahr, enters Friday with 574 victories, which ranks him fourth in county history. The Royals will advance to the regional next week.

“Rosary and St. Bonaventure have been amazing accommodating (my schedule this season),” he said. “I’ll miss coaching but I’ve had more than a fun, great career.”

NOTES

Duarte, a 6-foot forward, is averaging 13.3 points and 10.8 rebounds in the playoffs . …. Mater Dei guard Devyn Kiernan, who was hurt against Fairmont Prep on Feb. 19, didn’t play at Etiwanda in the Open Division semifinals on Saturday. The senior’s status going toward the regional is “day to day,” Monarchs coach Jody Wynn said. … Adyra Rajan scored 24 points and Sarah Aldeguer had 23 as Fairmont Prep beat Windward 69-54 in its pool play finale for the first Open Division win in school history.

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