Colfax claims 7th straight PVL title

The standard for the Colfax High School girls basketball team has remained unchanged for the last decade. The Lady Falcons (20-7 overall, 13-0 PVL) secured their seventh consecutive Pioneer Valley League championship last Friday night, Feb. 6, with a win over Bear River, then clinched their sixth outright title during that span Wednesday with a dominant 60-29 victory over Oakmont in Roseville. Colfax shut out Oakmont 16-0 in the first quarter. The Lady Falcons held their opponent to 12 points in the first half as the Lady Vikings didn't make their first field goal until there were just over two minutes remaining in the second period. For coach Rexanne Simpton, the streak speaks to more than just talent. "We set our goals early," Simpton said. "The girls know when they step into a role, they just do their thing and help contribute to the team. At this point, it's beautiful to see." The Falcons' run has been built on continuity and reloads rather than rebuilds. Different classes have cycled through, but the results have remained the same with league banners and deep postseason runs becoming the standard. Colfax has captured the last three Sac-Joaquin Section titles, winning Division IV championships in 2023 and 2024 and the Division III crown in 2025. This season, under the section's continued success rule, the Falcons will compete in the Division II playoffs, and they won't be sneaking up on anyone. Before the season, Simpton said she believed her starting five could compete with anyone and lined up a daunting schedule against state powerhouses to prepare for the playoffs. Now, as the postseason approaches, the Lady Falcons appear to have developed the depth to match that confidence. "We battle in practice and that gets them ready," Simpton said. "Whether you're in the top five or the next five, people are stepping up in big ways and getting comfortable. They are realizing what they can do and how they can help us." That internal competition has helped sharpen a rotation that looks increasingly comfortable. The pieces know where they fit and the substitutions flow naturally. The growth in depth has Colfax looking like it will be a tough out for anyone, and Simpton thinks the Falcons play their best basketball when it matters most. "I think for sure we're finding our stride," Simpton said. "We're comfortable in our rotations, comfortable when somebody comes in, who's going where. That's all part of preseason and the season. We have been fine-tuning things, beating each other up in practice and getting better." Simpton knows Division II presents a different challenge with section powers Antelope, Del Oro, Christian Brothers and Merced-El Capitan projected as the top four seeds. The Lady Falcons know the jump up to D-II means deeper brackets and Simpton recognizes that higher seeds are likely wary of seeing a three-time reigning section champion on their side. Simpton said no matter who Colfax draws in the postseason, it will be ready to face the challenge. "This is what the girls live for," said Simpton. "They start working in May and go all summer and all fall. They're hungry. They know moving up is a big challenge, but they're ready to take on whatever challenge is in front of us." The Sac-Joaquin Section playoff brackets will be released Saturday afternoon.