Prep Basketball Playoffs: Sierra Canyon's Depth A Big Asset In Formidable Mission League

With a lineup that goes 9 deep, Sierra Canyon’s hoops squad has won 25 of its 26 games this play and astir nan only measurement nan Trailblazers are going to beryllium a denied a Southern Section Open Division and authorities title is if a chap Mission League squad tin hit them.

At slightest 1 point is definite astir nan hoops playoffs — nan Mission League is tops. Three of nan 4 teams that person reached nan Open Division semifinals are from nan Mission League, mounting up semifinals connected Tuesday that will characteristic Sherman Oaks Notre Dame astatine Sierra Canyon and astonishing La Mirada astatine Harvard-Westlake.

“It continues to show that nan Mission League is 1 of nan toughest leagues successful nan country,” Harvard-Westlake coach David Rebibo said. “It pays to beryllium successful a value league.”

First up for everyone is figuring retired Sierra Canyon (25-1).

“I emotion nan options,” Sierra Canyon coach Andre Chevalier said of his team’s extent aft a 70-47 blowout of Santa Margarita connected Friday nighttime successful a quarterfinal crippled that was a matchup betwixt nan top-seeded Trailbllazers and nan No. 2-seeded Eagles (27-5), according to nan Southern Section’s machine powerfulness rankings.

Santa Margarita ne'er had a chance. The Eagles missed galore three-point attempts while Sierra Canyon was uncovering different players to contribute. Nine players scored, pinch Brandon McCoy getting 17 points and 9 rebounds, Brannon Martinsen scoring 13 points and Maxi Adams 11. McCoy and Adams are McDonald’s All-Americans, but it’s nan Trailblazers’ extent that is coming done during a agelong play that still has 3 weeks left.

Sophomore defender JJ Sati Greer, a transportation from North Carolina, has abruptly earned playing clip and had 4 baskets. Sophomore defender Josh Lowery had 7 points.

During nan 2nd half erstwhile a Sierra Canyon subordinate took an ill-advised shot, and Chevalier shouted out, “What are you doing?” The subordinate recovered himself instantly connected nan bench. Another subordinate came successful to contribute. That’s going to beryllium nan situation from present on. If nan Trailblazers support uncovering aggregate players to present baskets, that’s reliable to overcome.

“I deliberation our extent is going to get america complete nan top,” Chevalier said.

Notre Dame and Sierra Canyon will yet get to play their Mission League title crippled that was expected to extremity disconnected 2 weeks agone but canceled because of a student death.

The biggest upset was La Mirada taking down No. 3-seeded Redondo Union connected nan roadworthy 73-70. Gene Roebuck fouled retired early successful nan 4th fourth but still scored 19 points. Cisco Munoz had 17 points, Tristan Partida 15 and King Riley Owens 10. The Matadores made nan Open Division playoffs past play but didn’t suffice for nan authorities playoffs. Now they are 1 triumph distant from playing for a conception title.

Harvard-Westlake had to clasp connected against Mission League rival Crespi astatine location 49-46. The Wolverines built a 10-point halftime lead. Joe Sterling vanished pinch 15 points and Pierce Thompson 13.

Sherman Oaks Notre Dame defeated Corona Centennial 59-56. NaVorro Bowman Jr. scored 23 points and Zach White had 13 points and 10 rebounds.

“It’s testament to nan value of nan coaching, nan value of nan players,” Notre Dame coach Matt Sargeant said of nan league’s occurrence this season.

JSerra 105, Inglewood 91: The Lions made it to nan Southern Section Division 1 final. Jaden Bailes scored 33 points and Ryan Doane had 32 points and 18 rebounds. Jason Crowe Jr. vanished pinch 37 points for Inglewood.

Sylmar 93, Marquez 75: The Spartans precocious to nan City Section Division II title game. Aiden Garcia scored 26 points. Sylmar will play King/Drew successful nan final. King/Drew defeated Bravo 72-43. Wayne Chamberlin had 20 points, 10 rebounds and 5 blocks.

Chatsworth 53, Venice 51: The Chancellors made it to nan City Section Division I last pinch an overtime triumph successful nan semifinals. They will look top-seeded and chap West Valley League rival Granada Hills, a 48-30 victor complete L.A. Jordan.