SGV/Whittier Prep Sports Zone: Morning Briefing, Sunday, Dec. 18th
Damien wins California High School Tournament; Sonora takes third place at the Sunny Hills girls basketball tournament.
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Damien basketball team photo after defeating Fountain Valley to win the Cal High School Boys Basketball championship. (Damien Basketball)
BOYS BASKETBALL
At the California High School Tournament
Damien 58, Fountain Valley 48: On a team in which youth will be served, it was the performance of an improving senior that propelled the Spartans to a tournament title. Nate Garcia, who has been delivering top performances of the year, proved too much for the Barons to handle as he scored a game-high 21 points and grabbed 15 rebounds.
Throughout Saturday’s game, when the Spartans needed a big basket or a critical stop on the defensive side of the court, Garcia delivered time and again. He scored 10 of his 21 points in the second quarter.
Although he predominately plays in the low post, Damien coach Mike DeLuc expects him to open up his game with Baseline League play around the corner. “He going to be able to do more than that, it just takes time,” LeDuc said. “He’s important to us and works really hard to get better.”
The Spartans have three exceptional freshmen in Elijah Brown, Elijah Smith, and Eli Garner, and both played critical roles in Saturday’s win. Garner scored ten points, which included a huge basket in the final stages of the third quarter that kept the Spartans ahead 50-31.
Smith handled the responsibilities of being a point guard well and scored a basket in the second quarter. Brown brought some physicality to the game as he scored nine points and hauled in five rebounds.
The Spartans came out fast in the first quarter as they jumped out to an 18-6 lead. The Barons did make things interesting in the fourth quarter as they cut the Spartans' lead to 8 points thanks to the play of guard Jerry Gray, who finished the game as the Fountain Valley’s leading scorer with 18 points.
Troy Leach added 11 points with five steals.
Garcia, Xavier Clinton, and Garner were named to the all-tournament team.
The Spartans will be off until “The Classic at Damien” Tournament on December 26th as they will host Shadow Hills High School.
California 60, Kennedy 39: The Condors got a major contribution from Luke Sanchez as he scored a team-high 12 points in the win. Trey Cabrera was named to the all-tournament team.
In nonleague action
Sonora 68, Valencia 35: Yoda Oke had a double-double for the Raiders as he scored 19 points and snatched 17 rebounds. Ernest Love pitched in 12 points.
La Habra 68, Cypress 59: Acen Jimenez had a huge night for the Highlanders as he led all scorers with an impressive 27 points and six rebounds. Sebastian Esparza added 17 points.
San Marino 80, St. Monica Academy 47: The Titans had four players in double-figures in their home win. Jayden Tse led the way with 14 points and Bobby Reyes added 13 points. Xavier Duong and Jack Fuerst each scored 10 points.
Arcadia 62, La Quinta 24: Jordan Dollar once again topped the stat sheet as he led all scorers with 18 points and Lavon Domino added 10 points in the Apaches win. Arcadia will be in action next week at the Tarkanian Classic in Las Vegas.
West Covina 60, Avalon 39: The Bulldogs rebounded from their loss to South Hills as they took the boat to Catalina and emerged with a big win. Steven Julio scored 19 points along with Jason Jenkins.
La Canada 47, Flintridge Prep 44: Sam Guerrero was 5 out 11 from the field and scored a game-high 15 points as the Spartans narrowly turned back the Wolves in their second game of the day. Josh Proctor scored eight points. Earlier in the day at a showcase event at Cal Lutheran, the Spartans lost to Buena 64-43.
Other scores
Marina 64, Charter Oak 25
Montebello 47, Cantwell Sacred-Heart 40
Village Christian 85, San Gabriel Academy 55
GIRLS BASKETBALL
At the San Dimas Tournament
San Dimas girls basketball team photo after taking third place at the San Dimas Girls Basketball tournament. (San Dimas Girls Basketball Twitter)
San Dimas 47, Los Altos 46: In one of the more exciting games of the tournament, the Saints pulled out a narrow win over the Conquerors to take third place. Janessa Rodriguez had a double-double (11 points/14 rebounds) and Allison McGill led the way for the Saints with 12 points.
Bonita 42, Diamond Bar 40: In another closely played game of two top teams in the east region of the valley, Amore Mason came up huge for the Bearcats as she tallied 20 points in the victory.
At the Sunny Hills Tournament
Sonora’s Larissa Robles in action at the Sunny Hills Tournament. The senior was named to the all-tournament team. (Arnold Leos Photography)
Sonora 79, Mei Secondary 42: The Raiders rebounded nicely from their loss to San Juan Hills with an impressive double-digit victory. Larissa Robles topped all scorers with 25 points with Kiana Graham adding 22 points and Liana Hwang pitching in 17 points. Robles was named to the all-tournament team.
In nonleague action
La Salle 52, La Canada 14: Audrey Chen spearheaded the Lancer attack as she scored 17 points in their road win over the Spartans.
South Hills 47, Diamond Ranch 33: The Huskies had three players score in double-figures in their win over the host Panthers. Jaylynn Year paced the attack with 15 points, M.J. Contreras added 12 points and Alanis Tornero chipped in 10 points.
Other scores
Avalon 34, West Covina 22
South Pasadena 57, Schurr 24
Blair 33, Pomona Catholic 26
Orangewood Academy 44, Bishop Amat 40