Bishop Montgomery falls in championship

(Torsten Bolten/Wikicommons)

By Joe Snyder

Bishop Montgomery High’s football team saw its season come to an end after losing in the CIF-Southern Section Division XIII final to host San Gabriel High 52-27 last Friday night.

The Knights had a lot of problems containing the high power rushing attack of the Matadors, led by running back Robert Lucero. Lucero rushed for 147 yards and a touchdown and, on a trick play, completed a 32-yard TD pass to Tyani Daley that enabled San

Gabriel to break the game open. Four other San Gabriel ballcarriers scored rushing touchdowns, two of those by Jacob Muniz. Preston Ortega, Troy Le and Elijah Muniz also ran for TD’s.

The Matadors, who are 11-3 overall, built a 24-7 halftime lead but Bishop Montgomery, which ended its season at 10-4, got within 10 points after quarterback Diego Rodriguez completed a 57-yard scoring pass to wide receiver Justin Auston just 26 seconds into the second half.

San Gabriel, however, proved too much for Bishop Montgomery from there as it added four more touchdowns.

Despite the loss, Rodriguez completed 15 of 22 passes for 235 yards and two TD’s, including another one to wide receiver Dominic Marchado. Rodriguez added a 27-yard touchdown run.

The Matadors move on to the CIF-Southern California Regional Division VIA Championship Bowl Game against CIF-Los Angeles City Section Division II champion Kennedy High from Granada Hills on Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Serra boys hoopsters start well by winning 3 of 4 games

Serra High’s boys’ basketball team is rather inexperienced but won its first three games of this season.

The Cavaliers began with a 76-35 blowout win over CIF-Los Angeles City School Torres on Nov. 16. On Nov. 18, the Cava- liers slipped past Northwood High

from Irvine 63-62. A day later, Serra defeated Placentia El Dora- do 63-49. The Cavaliers lost their first game of the season at home against Burbank Providence 76-62.

Serra began the Mira Costa Pacific Shores Tournament with a tough game against Rolling Hills Prep of San Pedro on Wednesday. The Cavaliers take on Carson tonight at 6 p.m. The tournament lasts through Saturday.

North Torrance finished third in its division of the San Gabriel Valley Thanksgiving Classic after routing Montebello 66-27 on Saturday. The Saxons began the classic on Nov. 21 with an impressive 54-36 win over last season’s CIF- Southern Section Division VA champion Fontana. A day later, North rolled over La Puente 53-22 before losing to Rowland 51-40 on Nov. 23.

Gardena finished fourth in its division of the San Gabriel Tournament. After wins over South Torrance 61-36 on Nov. 21 and Chino Hills Ayala 56-43 on Nov. 22, the Panthers suffered losses to La Puente Bishop Amat 50-45 last Friday and Whittier La Serna 62- 54 on Saturday.

Chase Williams was named to the all-tournament team.

Gardena is currently playing in the Artesia Tournament in Lake- wood where it began against El Segundo last Monday and faced Newport Beach Corona del Mar on Tuesday. The classic lasts through Saturday.

In girls’ action, defending Pio- neer League champion North Torrance finished seventh at the Platinum Division of the Redondo Battle at the Beach Classic by edging the host Sea Hawks 59-57.

North began the tournament on Nov. 22 by rolling over Anaheim Fairmont Prep 66-43. A day later, the Lady Saxons were routed by eventual champion Rancho Cucamonga Etiwanda 89-36. Etiwanda is one of the top teams in the United States.

Serra ended up 11th in the Gold Division by defeating San Pedro 52-47 last Saturday. The Lady Cavaliers began on Nov. 21 by getting routed by Agoura Hills Oak Park 59-21 and a day later by Irvine Crean Lutheran 61-28. Last Friday, San Diego power Cathedral Catholic rolled over Serra 68-35.

Serra is in the Brea-Olinda Tournament where it opens next Monday against the host school at 6 p.m. The Cavaliers will continue pool play against Anaheim Hills Esperanza (Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.) and Rolling Hills Estates Peninsula (Wednesday at 3:30 p.m.).