Chargers’ Season Ends in Elite 8 Battle at State Tournament
Cypress closed a strong postseason run with an Elite 8 appearance at the 3C2A State Championship Tournament, capping a 23-win season
VISALIA, CA - Cypress College suffered a chilling defeat in a 55-51 loss to San Joaquin Delta at Porter Field House on Thursday night. The Chargers fell short in the fourth quarter, being outscored 15-7 in the last 10 minutes, resulting in their late lead slipping through their grasp.
Cypress carried a 44-40 advantage into the fourth quarter after three strong frames, but San Joaquin Delta tightened its defense down the stretch and converted at the free-throw line to complete the comeback. The Chargers, who had relied on efficient interior scoring and work on the glass, struggled to find rhythm late and finished 18-of-56 from the field (32.1 percent) with 25 turnovers.
Sophomore forward Christaesha Jackson powered Cypress with a game-high 22 points and 12 rebounds, turning in an 8-of-17 shooting night while adding three assists and three steals. Mariah Henderson provided a second dominant presence inside, recording 21 points and a game-best 13 rebounds. Henderson went 7-of-16 from the floor, including 2-of-4 from beyond the arc, and 5-of-6 at the line while matching Jackson with three steals.
The Chargers found their stride in the second quarter. Trailing 20-17 after the first quarter, Cypress mounted a 16-10 surge in the second quarter, securing a 33-30 halftime advantage. The pivotal moment came with a buzzer-beater from Kaylene Vivo, propelling the Chargers into halftime with the lead. Defensive pressure and rebounding were key, as Cypress finished with a 43-37 edge on the boards, including 12 offensive rebounds that generated second-chance opportunities, many of them finished by Jackson and Henderson around the rim.
Cypress maintained control through the third quarter, holding San Joaquin Delta to 10 points and entering the final frame up 44-40. But Delta's depth and perimeter shooting began to shift the momentum. The visitors, who went 5-of-34 from 3-point range overall, converted timely attempts in the fourth and capitalized on Cypress turnovers to fuel their 15-7 closing run, eventually pushing ahead for good in the final minutes.
Cypress concludes the 2025–26 campaign with an overall record of 23-8 and an 8-4 mark in Orange Empire Conference play, finishing third in the conference. The Chargers entered the postseason as the South's No. 6 seed and hosted a second-round victory over Long Beach City College before upsetting No. 3 seed Moorpark College on the road in the regional final to advance to the Elite 8. Cypress earned the No. 4 seed from the South in the state tournament, facing eventual champion San Joaquin Delta College, who went on to capture its first title with a win over MiraCosta College.
Individually, the Chargers were led by a decorated group, highlighted by sophomore Christaesha Jackson, a two-time All-State selection and the 2025–26 Offensive MVP, who averaged 15.3 points and a conference-leading 9.9 rebounds per game while ranking among the top five in field goal percentage and blocks. Mariah Henderson also earned All-State and First Team All-Conference honors, while Marina Interiano ranked among the conference leaders in rebounding at 8.5 per game. Under Head Coach Brittany Imaku, Cypress secured its second Elite 8 appearance since the 2022–23 season, continuing to build a strong foundation for sustained success.
Stay connected with the Chargers through social media. Follow Cypress College Athletics on X (Formerly Twitter) @CypressChargers. Check in with the Chargers on Facebook/CypressChargers and on Instagram @CypressChargers.
