The momentum from Kindel’s run allowed the Pumas to continue to grow after his departure and was realized last season when Northridge Academy captured a legendary CIF-LA City Section D4 Championship 

The scoreboard read 40–38. Only five players remained on the floor — exhausted, drenched in sweat, and running purely on heart. The Northridge Academy Lady Pumas had started the game with six players, but just before halftime, one went down with an ankle injury, leaving no bench to rely on for the second half. 

Inside a small gym packed with tension, the crowd was a roar of noise — Vaughn fans screaming and stomping, Pumas supporters cheering wildly. Sophomore center Estrella Alejo grabbed the ball after a crucial offensive rebound, got fouled on the putback, and calmly stepped to the line with just twelve seconds left. Every eye in the gym was on her. Two shots. Two makes. The Lady Pumas took the lead, 40–38. 

Vaughn called a timeout, their stars Yamileth Ferreira and Andrea Cervantes ready to try to steal the championship. Coach Nick Kindel gathered his team. “We need twelve seconds of our best defense,” he said. “Close out, no fouls, no threes. Secure the rebound — and we win the game.”

When play resumed, Kailey Trujillo embodied that message, locking in defensively and contesting every shot. Vaughn’s top scorers missed potential game-winning threes, and Estrella grabbed the rebound and calmly made her second pair of free throws to put the Pumas up 42–38 as the final buzzer sounded. 

The Lady Pumas — a team that started the night with six and ended with five — had done the impossible. They had won the Valley League Championship, secured an undefeated league title, and delivered one of the most unforgettable wins in school history. 

But that night wasn’t just about one game. To truly understand how this team defied the odds, we need to go back to the beginning of the restart — the journey that forged these Lady Pumas into champions. 

The Rebuild: Restarting the Program 

When the search began for someone to revive Northridge Academy’s dormant girls basketball program, Athletic Director Alex Andrade knew exactly what kind of coach the school needed — someone who could rebuild from the ground up, set a new culture, and inspire young athletes to believe again. Andrade wasn’t just the athletic director; he was also the former head coach who had led the Lady Pumas to three straight Valley League titles and their first-ever league championship before stepping down when the pandemic forced the program into hiatus. 

He found that coach in Nick Kindel — a proven program builder with deep ties to San Fernando Valley basketball. Before his brief but successful stint at Santa Clara High School, where he guided the Saints girls team to an undefeated 2021 Tri-Valley League Championship and earned 2021 Tri-County Athletic Association and Tri-Valley League Coach of the Year honors, Kindel had already made a name for himself just down the street. 

At Granada Hills Charter, Kindel served as a lead varsity assistant and head junior varsity coach, helping turn the program into a CIF-LA City Section powerhouse. During his tenure, Granada Hills captured five West Valley League championships, posted a record-setting 28-win varsity season, and consistently ranked among the top programs in Los Angeles. Meanwhile, Kindel’s junior varsity teams were dominant, amassing an extraordinary 118–5 record, with many of his former JV players later becoming major contributors to Granada’s varsity success. 

By the summer of 2021, Kindel had just finished his award-winning season at Santa Clara, but when a planned move to Ventura County fell through, he found himself back in the San Fernando Valley. That twist of fate opened the door for Andrade to make the call that would change the trajectory of Northridge Academy basketball. He hired Kindel to restart and rebuild the Lady Pumas program from scratch — a challenge perfectly suited for a coach who had already built championship cultures wherever he’d gone.

Just days later, Kindel was ready to bring that vision to life. At 7 a.m. on a warm June morning, he stood on the outdoor court at Holleigh Bernson Memorial Park, watching as incoming freshman Aliya Latif and sisters Raissa, a junior, and Rio Mahawan, a senior, arrived one by one. There was no gym, no crowd, and no team yet — just basketball, a dream, and the hope of rebuilding something from almost nothing. The 2020–21 season had been wiped out by COVID-19, leaving Northridge Academy’s girls basketball program without a coach, structure, or nearly any returning players. 

All that remained from the pre-pandemic 2019–20 roster were the Mahawan sisters — Raissa, then a freshman, and Rio, a sophomore — who, along with incoming freshman Aliya, represented the final thread connecting the program’s past to its uncertain future. “As a freshman coming in, it was a little overwhelming,” Aliya Latif recalled. “I wasn’t totally sure what I was stepping into. It was just three of us at first, and it honestly felt like a blank slate. There wasn’t a full team, no real routine, and everything felt so uncertain. But there was also something exciting about that. It gave me the chance to grow with the program from the very beginning and be part of building something from the ground up.” 

For Raissa Mahawan, it was a mix of nerves and excitement. “I remember feeling excited about something new,” she recalled. “It was also nerve-wracking building something starting from just the three of us because of the uncertainty of how it would all turn out. But everyone who was a part of it truly made that time special to me. It’s definitely something I’ll never forget.” 

That early morning session at Holleigh Bernson Memorial Park wasn’t just another workout — it was the official restart of Northridge Academy girls basketball. From that day forward, the rebuilding began. 

As the summer workouts continued, Kindel’s leadership style began to set the tone for what would become the foundation of the program. He wasn’t just focused on building skills — he was building belief. His approach combined toughness, structure, and care, earning trust not through words but through presence and consistency. 

“Coach Kindel led with purpose and consistency,” Aliya said. “He made expectations clear, but he also listened and cared about us as people. That respect went both ways. He didn’t ask for trust — he earned it by showing up every day and doing exactly what he said he would do.” 

That kind of leadership resonated immediately with the small group. It wasn’t just the drills or the plays — it was the sense that their coach believed in them long before the rest of the school did. 

When Estrella Alejo joined later that summer, she quickly noticed what made the new coach different. “Coach Kindel was the kind of leader who was both compassionate and determined,” Estrella said. “He truly wanted to see our team succeed, and he made that clear from the beginning. He pushed us to work hard and stay motivated, but he also believed in us as individuals. He earned the team’s trust quickly by investing in us even before the official season started — putting in extra time on weekends and showing how much he cared about our growth.” 

That early investment built the foundation of trust and accountability that carried into the fall semester — when new players arrived and the Lady Pumas officially took shape. 

The Fall Semester: Building the Team 

When the fall semester began, the energy around Northridge Academy started to shift. Word about the small but determined girls basketball group that trained all summer had begun to spread. Now back on campus, Rio took it upon herself to keep recruiting, this time face-to-face.

“I remember walking around the Northridge halls, approaching anyone and everyone to ask if they’d be willing to give basketball a shot,” Rio recalled. “It was just the three of us to start, and while that could’ve been discouraging to some, I was more excited than anything else. As a senior, I knew this was a rare chance to help build something from the ground up. Even when people turned me down, a few girls said yes or said they would at least attend tryouts. That was enough to keep us going, and I believed in Coach Kindel and in the power of a team. There’s a unique kind of bond that comes from being on the court together, and I could feel that potential for sisterhood forming. Coach Kindel really brought that to life — he became the glue we didn’t know we needed.” 

Rio’s determination paid off once again. The team’s long-awaited point guard was found when sophomore Priscilla Perez joined that fall. During after-school workouts Kindel quickly noticed Priscilla’s speed, toughness, and natural court awareness. She wasn’t just talented; she had the mindset of a floor leader. Soon after, Kailey Trujillo, Priscilla’s best friend, decided to join as well after seeing Rio’s post on Instagram about the team. 

Kailey immediately brought defensive intensity, athleticism, and versatility — a player who could guard all five positions and fill multiple roles when needed. With Priscilla’s leadership at the point and Kailey’s toughness adding much-needed depth, the Lady Pumas’ roster began to take real shape. 

When Priscilla joined the team that fall, she immediately noticed the balance between high standards and genuine support that defined Kindel’s coaching. “Coach Kindel was definitely tough and expected a lot from us,” she said. “But he was also one of the most committed and supportive coaches I’ve had. He pushed us to give 110% every practice, every game. Even when he was strict, he’d always bring in some laughs by the end. He earned our respect by showing up for us and never settling for less than our best.” 

In the first few weeks of school athletic director Andrade helped recruit players around campus. That’s when Divya Kishore joined the team. Initially planning to play soccer, Divya attended one after-school basketball practice and immediately felt the sport was the right fit for her. She brought speed and athleticism to the guard position, quickly becoming the team’s fastest player and a threat in transition, focusing on steals and layups. 

The final piece to the puzzle came with Emma Aguirre, who added much-needed size at the center position, giving the team strength inside and completing a nine-player roster ready to compete for the season. For the first time since the pandemic shutdown, Northridge Academy girls basketball had a full lineup — a perfect blend of talent, grit, and chemistry that hinted at something truly special on the horizon.

The first real test for the Lady Pumas came in a Fall League game at Viewpoint School against eventual Citrus Coast League champion Santa Paula. This was the first — and only — game the team would play together before official practices began, making it the perfect opportunity to gauge where the team stood heading into the season. 

“The Fall League game was a fun experience.” Kindel recalls“We taped numbers on the back of our jerseys and went out there and played hard, practicing what we had been working on all fall.” 

The game started off slowly, with first-game jitters affecting the team’s rhythm. But once senior captain Rio Mahawan sank the first basket of the new era, the Pumas began to find their groove. Defensively, they locked in, and offensively, their shots started falling. 

By the end, the Pumas had won by double digits, and the players’ confidence skyrocketed — carrying that momentum into the official season, which began just a week later.

Where It All Came Together: The 2021–22 Season 

Official practices tipped off in early November, and the newly formed nine-player Lady Pumas carried the confidence from their fall league win into their first true preseason workouts. Although that victory was encouraging, the team and coaching staff knew there was still plenty of room to grow. That belief fueled a competitive, high-energy atmosphere from day one. 

Practices alternated between 4:00–6:00 p.m. and 6:00–8:00 p.m. depending on gym availability with the boys’ teams, but no matter the time, the girls never missed a session and always arrived ready to work. On nights with the later slot, the team held study hall sessions in the library beforehand — using the time not only to stay on top of their academics, but also to build camaraderie and trust off the court. 

That trust and connection became the foundation of everything the team accomplished. “Even though it was our first year together and many of us didn’t know each other going in, we were able to create a bond that felt natural,” Estrella remembered. “Building that connection came easily — practices, hanging out after school, and spending time together made it happen. I really believe it was the time we spent bonding outside of the game that made the biggest difference.” 

Priscilla echoed that sentiment, describing the team’s chemistry as “amazing.” She explained, “We had so many strengths as a group, but what made it better was how well we got along off the court too. We just clicked. We had strong leaders and a team full of people who genuinely wanted to win but also supported each other.” 

That chemistry quickly translated into their play. The Lady Pumas weren’t just a group of individuals learning how to compete — they were becoming a family. Each practice strengthened their connection, their communication, and their belief that something special was forming at Northridge Academy. 

As the Lady Pumas grew closer off the court, that chemistry quickly began to show up on it. Every practice brought more confidence, sharper communication, and a deeper belief that they could compete with anyone. What started as a group learning to play together was evolving into a team with purpose. By the time the first official game tipped off, Northridge Academy wasn’t just excited to play — they were ready to make a statement. What followed over the next few months would define the season, from early tests to emotional victories, culminating in unforgettable turning points that forever changed the program’s history. 

From Restart to Contender: The Lady Pumas’ Road to the Valley League Championship 

The Lady Pumas entered their first season since before the pandemic feeling focused, a bit nervous, but ready to compete. Originally scheduled for an 18-game season, the plan had to be adjusted when a tournament was canceled and two regular season games were removed due to

lingering COVID-19 concerns. As a result, the 2021–2022 campaign became a 14-game regular season—shorter than expected, but filled with anticipation and determination. 

The official season opener took place on the road against the Diego Rivera Huskies in Los Angeles. Instead of showing first-game jitters, the Lady Pumas came out on fire, starting the game with back-to-back field goals from Raissa and Aliya. Defensively, the team played an active, extended 2–3 zone with aggressive trapping, holding the Lady Huskies to just 18 points for the entire game. 

Aliya, though just a freshman, led all scorers with 21 points and added 10 rebounds in her first official high school game—an impressive debut. Raissa followed closely with 18 points, including four three-pointers, while Priscilla Perez contributed 9 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 steals, delivering a strong all-around performance. 

The Lady Pumas carried their momentum from the season opener into their first home game against Central Valley League Champion Sun Valley Magnet. The energy inside the gym was electric — it was the first school basketball game since the pandemic, and the stands were packed with friends, family, and classmates eager to see the team’s return. Feeding off the crowd’s excitement, the Lady Pumas came out firing on all cylinders, executing their defense with precision and dominating from start to finish. 

The final score, 51-4, told the story of a team making a statement on its home floor. Priscilla led all scorers with 17 points and 10 steals, setting the tone on both ends of the court. Kailey added 9 points and 4 steals, while Raissa chipped in 7 points. Aliya contributed 6 points and 10 rebounds, controlling the boards, and Estrella added 4 points and 8 rebounds inside. Divya provided a spark with 6 points and 4 steals, and Aubrey rounded out the scoring with 2 points. 

It was a complete team effort — a dominant defensive performance and balanced offensive attack that set the tone for the season. With the victory, the Lady Pumas improved to 2–0, marking a perfect start to their historic comeback season. 

The next game of the season was a historic one for a freshman. The Lady Pumas hosted Sotomayor, a team they hadn’t faced since the 2019 Division 3 City semifinals, where Sotomayor had come out on top. This matchup presented the perfect opportunity for the Pumas to reclaim that victory and make a statement early in the season. 

From the opening tip, Northridge Academy set the tone defensively, pressuring Sotomayor’s guards with aggressive trapping and doubling their top post player to disrupt the offense. Offensively, the game belonged to Aliya, who exploded for a program-record 31 points — the most ever scored in a game by any player in school history and the highest single-game total ever by a freshman. She also dominated the boards with 16 rebounds and created havoc on defense with 8 steals, making it a complete all-around performance. 

Raissa added 9 points, including three three-pointers, while Divya contributed 6 points and 3 steals. Priscilla Perez also made her presence felt, finishing with 6 points and 5 steals. With a dominating 58–12 victory, the Lady Pumas improved their record to 3–0, continuing their perfect start to the season and setting the stage for even bigger accomplishments ahead. 

Even bigger accomplishments lay ahead. The next game saw the Lady Pumas dominate Canoga Park with a 62–21 victory, improving their record to 4–0 on the young season. 

However, their next matchup would prove to be the true test. Facing West Valley League opponent Chatsworth, the Pumas came out strong, taking an early lead in the first quarter. As the game progressed, Chatsworth’s size and guard play gradually wore down Northridge, and the Pumas suffered their first loss of the season, 39–50. While disappointing, it became a pivotal learning moment, teaching the team resilience and the adjustments needed to compete at a higher level.

Motivated by that lesson, the Lady Pumas bounced back in dominant fashion, embarking on a school-record 10-game winning streak to finish the season — a run that showcased their growth, determination, and championship-caliber play. 

Northridge Academy Lady Pumas Take on the Valley League 

The Lady Pumas kicked off Valley League play on the road against the East Valley Falcons, carrying a clear goal in mind: an undefeated league championship. From the opening tip, Northridge Academy set the tone with lockdown defense, holding the Falcons to just 18 points. Offensively, the Pumas were balanced and efficient, led by Raissa with 15 points. Priscilla added 9 points, while Kailey contributed 7 points and an impressive five steals. Estrella Alejo dominated the boards with 10 rebounds and chipped in 6 points. With a commanding 53–18 victory, the Lady Pumas began their league campaign strong, improving to 1–0 and sending a clear message to the rest of the Valley League. 

Game two of Valley League play took the Lady Pumas on the road again, this time to Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies (SOCES). SOCES featured standout freshman Kendall Gohata-Chan, but the Pumas quickly took control with suffocating defense. Northridge Academy’s extended 2–3 zone forced difficult rotations, contested shots, and created transition opportunities throughout the game. Priscilla led the charge with 15 points and 5 steals, while Aliya dominated the boards with a double-double of 13 points and 13 rebounds. Raissa added 11 points, and Estrella controlled the paint on both ends, finishing with 8 points and 8 rebounds. Northridge Academy cruised to a 56–13 victory, marking their second straight league win, holding an opponent under 20 points and further establishing themselves as the team to beat in the Valley League. 

The next six league games followed a similar pattern of dominance, as the Lady Pumas posted decisive victories of 57–7, 57–23, 64–13, 39–23, 53–26, and 51–23. Northridge Academy maintained an impressive average margin of victory of 34 points per game against league opponents. 

There were standout performances throughout the streak. In the 64–13 rout of East Valley, Aliya led the way with 22 points, while Priscilla added 15 and Divya recorded a career-high 12. In the second meeting against SOCES — a 57–23 victory — Raissa sparked the offense with 18 points. Against Fulton, the Lady Pumas rolled to a 57–7 win behind Aliya’s game-high 26 points. 

The League Championship ultimately came down to a showdown between the Lady Pumas and the Vaughn White Tigers, led by lightning-fast guards Andrea Cervantes and Yamileth Ferreira. Cervantes, averaging 12 points, 4 assists, and 6 steals per game, and Ferreira, contributing 10 points and 3.3 steals per game, were determined to claim revenge after missing the first league matchup, which Northridge had won 39–23. With their full roster now available, the White

Tigers entered the rematch hungry and ready to challenge the Lady Pumas for the Valley League crown. 

Six Strong: The Adversity Before the Valley League Championship 

Everything was going perfectly for the Lady Pumas. They were riding a winning streak and preparing for the ultimate goal — the Valley League Championship, the team’s target coming out of the pandemic. The highly anticipated showdown against Vaughn was set for Thursday. 

But just two days before, disaster struck. On Tuesday afternoon, COVID hit the team, sidelining three of their nine players. Key contributors were out: Emma Aguirre, the team’s backup center and crucial rebounder; Rio Mahawan, the lone senior and team captain; and Raissa Mahawan, the sharpshooting guard and second-leading scorer, who had scored 15 points in the first matchup against Vaughn and was turning into one of the top shooting guards in the San Fernando Valley and CIF-LA City Section.

Suddenly, the Lady Pumas were heading into their biggest game of the season missing leadership, scoring, and rebounding — the very elements that had fueled their dominant run. With only six players available, nerves naturally set in. Coach Kindel could see it immediately. 

“I remember sitting the six girls down at practice that Tuesday just to check in and see how they were feeling,” Kindel recalls. “I told them I was still excited. I said, ‘I would take you six into battle any day. As long as we play hard, smart, and together, we’ll be just fine. Thirty-two minutes of toughness, defense, and shooting with confidence — that’s all we need.’” 

That conversation changed the mindset of the six girls. They were ready to face the biggest game of the year. The Lady Pumas still had their core: star freshman Aliya Latif, steady leader Priscilla Perez, tenacious defender Kailey Trujillo, lightning-fast guard Divya Kishore, versatile forward Aubrey Cruz, and anchor in the middle Estrella Alejo — six determined players ready to defy the odds. 

The practice before the big game was all business. The six were laser-focused, working hard for two straight hours. Every drill centered on the details of the game plan, sharpening execution, getting shots up, and building confidence. They were ready to give everything they had — six players united by heart, focus, and grit — to finish the job and claim their ultimate goal: the 2022 Valley League Championship. 

The Championship Showdown: Northridge Academy Lady Pumas vs. Vaughn White Tigers 

The stage was set for the Valley League Championship, and the remaining six Lady Pumas were ready to finish the job. The gym in Northridge, California, was packed — the energy electric — as the crowd buzzed in anticipation of the biggest game of the season. 

The starting five for the Pumas were set: Priscilla at point guard, Divya at shooting guard, Kailey at small forward, star freshman Aliya at power forward, and Estrella anchoring the paint at center. Aubrey was ready to provide a spark off the bench, capable of filling any role needed. 

As Kindel called the team into their pregame huddle, he could see it in their eyes — focus, fire, and belief. “They were ready for battle,” he recalled. 

From the opening tip, the Pumas played with purpose. Aliya drilled a three-pointer on the first possession, setting the tone and calming any nerves. With that shot, Northridge settled in and turned up the defensive pressure. Their rotations were crisp, closeouts sharp, and intensity relentless. Vaughn struggled to find clean looks as the Pumas controlled the pace and rhythm.

By the end of the first quarter, Northridge led 11–3 — a statement start fueled by confident shooting and aggressive, disciplined defense. The six who suited up weren’t just surviving — they were setting the tone for a championship performance. 

Second-quarter adjustments came from Vaughn, as they shifted from their zone defense to a man-to-man scheme — a move that briefly disrupted Northridge Academy’s rhythm. The White Tigers were powered by their star guards, Yamileth Ferreira and Andrea Cervantes — the same duo who would go on to lead Vaughn to the CIF-LA City Section Division III Championship the following year. Their quickness and defensive pressure began to challenge the Pumas’ ball movement. 

Sensing the momentum shift, Kindel called a timely timeout to regroup his team. The Pumas refocused, adjusted to Vaughn’s defensive pressure, and regained control of the pace. The quarter turned into a back-and-forth battle, with both teams trading baskets. When the halftime buzzer sounded, Northridge Academy held a 25–17 lead, maintaining their composure and grit heading into the locker room. 

Just before the first half ended, disaster struck: substitute Aubrey Cruz rolled her ankle and could not return to the game. Suddenly, Northridge Academy was down to just five players for the entire second half, with the Valley League Championship hanging in the balance. At halftime, the Pumas huddled to adjust to Vaughn’s man-to-man defense, discussing strategies and counter-moves to stay one step ahead.

Sensing the Pumas’ limited roster, Vaughn’s coach immediately called for full-court pressure, hoping to exploit fatigue and force turnovers. The White Tigers pressed relentlessly, but the Pumas stayed composed, relying on heart, discipline, and teamwork to weather the storm. 

Priscilla took control with her elite ball handling, speed, and toughness, not only dictating the tempo but also contributing 10 points by the end of the third quarter, keeping the Pumas ahead. Aliya was up to 13 points for the game, with most of them coming in the first half, giving Northridge an early cushion. Meanwhile, Divya made a huge impact in the third quarter, using her lightning-fast quickness and active defense to create back-to-back steals that she converted into fast-break layups. One of those possessions even became an and-one, giving the Pumas a quick five points and the momentum they needed. 

Estrella anchored the paint, coming up with big rebound put-backs in the third quarter at critical moments, helping to stem Vaughn’s momentum and preserve the Pumas’ lead. Thanks to their clutch play and teamwork, the Lady Pumas won the third quarter 13–10, heading into the fourth with a 38–27 lead. 

During the huddle before the start of the fourth quarter, with the Pumas eight minutes away from reaching their goal, Kindel could see the fatigue in his players. “I just made sure at this

point to tell the girls that I was proud of them and to just give these next eight minutes everything they got and that I would use the rest of our timeouts as rest breaks, but just go out there, have fun, and let’s finish the job!” 

With eight minutes left, Vaughn knew time was running out to claim the Valley League Championship. Their stars, Ferreira and Cervantes, turned up the heat, pressuring Priscilla and Aliya at every opportunity. The Pumas struggled under the intense defense, committing turnovers, while Ferreira and Cervantes scored relentlessly, sparking an 11–0 run that tied the game at 38–38 with just a minute remaining. 

At that critical juncture, Estrella and Kailey stepped up. Estrella grabbed a clutch offensive rebound, got fouled on the putback, and calmly sank both free throws with 12 seconds left to put the Pumas up 40–38. Vaughn called a timeout, and Kindel gathered his team. “We need twelve seconds of our best defense,” he instructed. “Close out, no fouls, no threes. Secure the rebound — and we win the game.” 

When play resumed, Kailey embodied that message. She locked in defensively, contesting every shot, and shutting down Vaughn’s top scorers. Both Ferreira and Cervantes missed potential game-winning threes. Estrella secured the rebound from Ferreira’s miss and went to the line for two more free throws. The gym was electric — Vaughn’s side was roaring in disbelief, while the Pumas’ fans screamed and cheered every defensive stop and every point. Estrella glanced at Kindel, who silently mouthed, “Deep breaths, you got this.” She nodded and calmly sank both shots, extending the lead to 42–38. 

As the final buzzer sounded, the Lady Pumas — a team that had started the night with six players and ended with five — accomplished the impossible. They defeated Vaughn to claim the 2022 CIF-LA City Section Valley League Championship, finishing the league undefeated and securing one of the most memorable victories in school history. 

Reflecting on the game, Priscilla Perez captured the feeling perfectly: “Every moment mattered. We had no choice but to step up for each other — covering every position and playing smart. We made mistakes, but we didn’t let them stop us. We kept pushing. In the end, it came down to who wanted it more, and we proved it was us. That win meant everything. We walked out champions.”

Valley League Supremacy 

Riding a nine-game winning streak heading into the playoffs, the Lady Pumas had firmly established themselves as the team to beat in the Valley League, powered by leadership, defense, and an unbreakable chemistry. Raissa Mahawan earned 2022 CIF-LA City Section Valley League Player of the Year, while Aliya Latif was named First Team All-League. Priscilla Perez and Estrella Alejo secured Second Team All-League honors for their steady, reliable impact. Coach Nick Kindel was named 2022 CIF-LA City Section Valley League Coach of the Year, reflecting his leadership in guiding the team to an undefeated league title. This championship marked only the second undefeated league title in school history and the fourth overall. Northridge Academy finished the regular season at 13–1, the best in program history, with a .928 win percentage — another school record. Yet, for the players who stood together at Holleigh Bernson Memorial Park on day one — when the program was rebuilding from scratch — this championship represented far more than statistics. 

Raissa reflected, “Winning the league felt rewarding because we knew how far we’d come. We built this together, and our bond made the victory meaningful.” 

Rio shared, “To go from barely having enough players to winning the league was surreal. We didn’t just form a team — we built a family. That win symbolized believing in something bigger than ourselves.” 

And for Aliya, who experienced it as a freshman, the moment was especially powerful: “It meant everything. We started without a full team and ended up champions. Being part of creating that was incredible.” 

This wasn’t just a championship — it was living proof of what belief, loyalty, and hard work can build from the ground up. With that unity driving them, the Lady Pumas entered the playoffs confident, connected, and ready to make noise. 

Rising to the Occasion: Playoffs and the Pursuit of School History 

The Lady Pumas entered the playoffs with a chip on their shoulder after going undefeated in Valley League play. They weren’t ready for the season to end—they were determined to make more history for the girls’ basketball program, and history they would make. The team earned the fourth seed in the Division 2 playoffs—a first for the school at the Division 2 level or higher—and received a first-round bye for the first time ever at that level. 

In the second round, the Pumas hosted the Lincoln Tigers from the Northern League in a sold-out Puma Gym. Fired up and fully healthy after the COVID-19 outbreak, all nine players were ready to roll—and roll they did. From the opening tip, the Pumas came out on fire, feeding off the roaring crowd. Northridge Academy’s suffocating defense gave the Tigers fits, with zone traps and half court pressure disrupting their every move. Priscilla, Raissa, Aliya, Divya, and Kailey swarmed the ball, generating steals, converting them into fast-break layups, and setting the tone for a dominant playoff performance. The Pumas would go on to dominate Lincoln 58-29 and move on to the quarterfinals for the first time in school history at the Division 2 level or higher. 

In the quarterfinal round, the Lady Pumas faced off against a tough Wilson High School squad known for its relentless guards and dominant post play. The game was a hard-fought battle from start to finish, with both teams trading baskets and defensive stops. However, Wilson’s full-court man pressure eventually wore the Pumas down, and despite their grit and determination, they ran out of gas late, falling 35–47 to end their remarkable playoff run in the Division II LA City Section quarterfinals. 

As the final buzzer sounded, emotion poured through the gym. Tears streamed down faces — not just from heartbreak, but from pride. The 2021–22 Lady Pumas had done more than play a great season — they made school history. They finished 14–2 overall, posting an .875 winning percentage, the best in program history. Their 13–1 (.928) regular-season record set another new standard, and their 10-game winning streak became the longest ever by a Northridge Academy girls basketball team. With an undefeated league title — just the second in program history and fourth title overall — the Lady Pumas cemented their legacy. Freshman Aliya Latif was named CIF-LA City Section Division 2 All-City, a remarkable honor for her first year. And for the first time ever, Northridge Academy cracked the LA City Section’s Top 20, finishing the year ranked

No. 19 — proof that their heart, resilience, and togetherness had turned a restart into a remarkable rise. 

Years After the Restart Season 

In the years following the historic 2022 restart season, the Northridge Academy Lady Pumas girls basketball program had officially returned to the winning ways it once enjoyed during the Alex Andrade era. The foundation was rebuilt, the culture restored, and expectations were higher than ever. The Lady Pumas worked hard through offseason training, preparing for summer basketball and aiming to repeat as Valley League champions. 

However, that summer brought an unexpected change. Nick Kindel—the architect of the restart and one of the key figures behind the program’s resurgence—resigned after receiving an offer to teach at nearby Granada Hills Charter, where he had previously coached for five years before his time at Santa Clara and Northridge. “This was a tough decision for me to make,” Kindel reflected. “I truly loved everything about Northridge Academy and the family-like culture

that was built. The girls were like family. But I had to take the opportunity to expand my teaching career—so, back to Granada it was.” 

At Granada, Kindel continued to build his legacy, helping lead Granada Hills Charter to historic success. He was part of the coaching staff that made Granada the first team from the San Fernando Valley to win a CIF Southern California Regional Championship, advancing all the way to the 2024 CIF State Championship game. Following that unforgettable run, Kindel retired from coaching, closing out his career as a 2024 CIF D3 Southern California Regional Champion. 

Meanwhile, the Lady Pumas kept their momentum going strong. Returning players Priscilla Perez, Raissa Mahawan, and Estrella Alejo led the team alongside incoming freshman Janelle Estrella, Estrella’s cousin, who would go on to have a stellar career at Northridge Academy. 

Under new head coach Kevin Chen, the 2023 Lady Pumas enjoyed a successful season, finishing 16–7 overall and placing second in the Valley League behind rival Vaughn, led by standout guards Yamileth Ferreira and Andrea Cervantes—who returned with a vengeance to lead Vaughn to the CIF-LA City Section Division 3 Championship. 

After Coach Chen’s one-year tenure, Coach Pedro Almaguer took the reins and guided the program into a new era. In the 2024 season, he coached the senior class that had started with the restart team—Priscilla, Aubrey, Estrella, and Kaliee—to a 14–5 record and a 9–1 league finish, reclaiming the Valley League Championship. That season, Estrella Alejo was named Valley League Most Valuable Player, capping off her high school career with a well-deserved honor. 

The 2024–25 Lady Pumas proved to be another special team under Almaguer. Led by Janelle Estrella, the Pumas captured the CIF-LA City Section Division 4 Championship, marking another milestone in the program’s growing legacy.

From the Andrade Era, which set the standard for success and guided the Lady Pumas to three Valley League titles in four years, to Kindel’s historic restart, which not only revived a dormant program but also broke numerous school records, and now under Almaguer, who has continued that legacy with Valley League and CIF-LA City Section Division 4 championships, Northridge Academy girls basketball has firmly established itself as one of the most respected programs in the City Section. The Lady Pumas’ culture of excellence, teamwork, and resilience continues to thrive—and the future shines brighter than ever for Northridge Academy basketball.