The Diamond Ranch Girls’ Varsity Basketball team: Front Row: Kristen Sheriff, Lauren Graves, Tianna Eaton, Cayla Freeman, Sarah Krestchmar. Back Row: Assistant Coach Lisa Cheney, Emilee Dy, Kiana Wright, Brenna Collins, Catrina Freeman, Nicole Nishimura, Paulena Luk, Head Coach Mike Power

Diamond Bar – The Diamond Ranch Girls’ Varsity Basketball team has been awarded the CIF Southern Section‘s Team Academic Award.

The award honors the team with the highest grade point average (GPA) in its category (schools with more than 1,500 students enrolled). In the case of the Diamond Ranch team, the girls finished first against 278 other regional high schools. In order to be considered for this accolade the team must possess a grade point average of 3.0.

“This achievement is the pinnacle of what we strive for at Pomona Unified, athletic prowess as well as academic excellence,” said Richard Martinez, superintendent of Pomona Unified. “We’re so proud of them all.”

The team will be honored prior to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Baseball game on Tues., April 29 against the Cleveland Indians. The ceremony will take place on the field prior to the 7 p.m. game start (approximately 6:45 p.m.).

“I am so proud of our student athletes on the Girls’ Varsity Basketball team; they have made DRHS history and District history,” Suzanne Steinseifer-Ripley, principal of Diamond Ranch High School said. “They are achieving our Diamond Ranch vision of preparing first class citizens with a world class education.”