Sierra Canyon rebounds to defeat Harvard-Westlake in regional semifinal playoff activity
In a period that has been far more about hoopla than performance and additional about likely than final results, the all-star staff that landed at Chatsworth Sierra Canyon eventually supplied its mentor, Andre Chevalier, with one thing to shout about.
In the course of their Southern California Open Division semifinal regional playoff game against Studio City Harvard-Westlake on Saturday evening, the Trailblazers’ person-to-guy defense was so tenacious that a few moments the officials called five-2nd violations against Wolverines guards. That is the sort of play Chevalier has sought to unleash for months with a team that goes 10 deep but has not exactly responded in big video games.
“This 12 months has been extensive and challenging,” Chevalier said. “Sometimes you will need that adversity to get to a area you can obtain in and participate in for every other.”
After shedding by three to Harvard-Westlake on Feb. 18, the Trailblazers rebounded with a 72-55 victory around the Wolverines to advance to the Open Division regional closing Tuesday evening from Corona Centennial. The winner improvements to the March 12 state championship at Golden 1 Heart in Sacramento.
“Because we misplaced, they last but not least locked in enjoying difficult and actively playing for every other,” Chevalier stated. “That what we normally preferred. They did that tonight. I’m pretty very pleased.”
Following holding a one particular-place halftime lead, the Trailblazers set alongside one another a 13-2 spurt in the 3rd quarter to split the Wolverines’ spirit.
Amari Bailey, who was not in the starting off lineup and looked remarkably out of sync in the initial 50 percent, scored 7 consecutive points for the duration of the streak for a 46-33 lead. Mike Price retained driving and drawing fouls. Dylan Metoyer designed a a few. Shy Odom contributed two baskets.
The Trailblazers’ Amari Bailey, who scored 13 details, tries a shot in Saturday’s victory.
(Jason Armond / VFAB)
Delighted times were suddenly here once more for a Sierra Canyon (26-4) team that won state titles in 2018 and 2019 and a regional title in 2020 but has not attained that stage considering that.
“The decline obtained to us,” Metoyer mentioned. “We arrived back challenging and desired it more than them.”
Selling price and Kijani Wright finished with 15 details apiece. Bailey had 13 details. For Harvard-Westlake (25-4), Jacob Huggins scored 14 factors, Landon Lewis 12, and Brady Dunlap and Cameron Thrower 10 apiece.
Sierra Canyon will be a hefty underdog versus a Centennial staff that is 31-1 and gained its semifinal more than Torrance Bishop Montgomery 76-55. Jared McCain designed 7 3-pointers and experienced 30 details. Donovan Dent additional 28 points.
Sierra Canyon’s Mike Cost, who experienced 15 points, dunks towards Harvard-Westlake.
(Jason Armond / VFAB)
In Open up Division ladies, Juju Watkins scored 23 factors to assistance Chatsworth Sierra Canyon go on the highway to defeat La Jolla Region Day 63-62. Sierra Canyon will get a rematch in the championship recreation from unbeaten Etiwanda, which defeated Corona Centennial 69-51.
In Division I boys, major-seeded La Verne Damien defeated Playa del Rey St. Bernard 70-65. Jimmy Oladokun scored 19 details. Damien will play host to Irvine Crean Lutheran, which defeated Sherman Oaks Notre Dame 72-65.
In Division I ladies, Windward rallied from an 8-level deficit at the conclude of regulation to defeat Fullerton Rosary in overtime 80-72. Skye Belker scored 26 factors. Windward will engage in Orangewood Academy.
In Division II boys, Hacienda Heights Los Altos will participate in Santa Ana Foothill for the regional title.
In Division III boys, Venice knocked off top-seeded Rancho Verde 59-54 in time beyond regulation.
