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The coaching return of Kevin Kiernan with the Troy girls basketball team highlights the opening night of the season on Monday, Nov. 17.
Kiernan and Troy open against Santiago of Corona in the Villa Park/Portola Kickoff Classic at Villa Park High at 6 p.m.
Kiernan’s move to Troy from Mater Dei was arguably the biggest development of the offseason.
In March, he announced his retirement as the athletic director at Mater Dei and he returned to Troy after not coaching in 2024-25.
Kiernan resigned as Mater Dei’s coach following the 2023-24 season — his 17th with the Monarchs — to focus on health issues.
He is the state leader in girls coaching victories with 900.
At Mater Dei, Kiernan led the girls basketball program to two national titles, three state championships, six CIF-SS crowns and 17 Trinity League titles.
Before arriving at Mater, Dei, he coached at Troy for 11 seasons. He guided the Warriors to five CIF-SS championships, three state crowns and 11 Freeway League titles, including a 110-0 league record.
The Villa Park/Portola Kickoff Classic features several strong teams.
Monday’s schedule includes the Spartans playing host to Westminster at 7:30 p.m.
At Portola on Monday, JSerra and El Dorado clash at 6 p.m. followed by Portola-Torrance at 7:30 p.m.
The championship game is Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at Villa Park.
The Oxford Academy tournament also starts Monday and runs through Saturday. The event’s top three seeds, in order, are San Clemente, Santa Margarita and San Juan Hills.
The championship game is Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
