By Joe Snyder
North Torrance High’s boys’ basketball team began the Pioneer League from where it left off with lopsided victories over host El Segundo and visiting Torrance last week.
At El Segundo on Dec. 13, the Saxons rolled over the Eagles 69-46. Returning home last Friday, North proved too much for cross town rival Torrance in its 69-45 win.
The Saxons, who improved to 11-1 overall, had a very good week by Matteo Gerny who totaled 24 points, 12 rebounds and five steals in the two games. Against El Segundo, he had 14 points and six rebounds. Against the Tartars, he chipped in 10 points and gathered six rebounds.
Leading North in its win over Torrance was Kai Bradley with a game-high 17 points. Elliot Langston added 13 points.
North started fast on the Tartars in dashing to a 20-7 first quarter lead.
Leading 36-25 at halftime, the Saxons outscored Torrance 17-5 in the third period to balloon their lead to 53-30.
North led by as many as 26 points in its easy win over the Tartars, who fell to 1-1 in league two days after topping Lawndale. Torrance (5-8 overall) was led by seniors Jalen Thomas and Jaden Nacionales with nine points apiece.
North hosted another cross-town rival, South Torrance, last Tuesday. The Saxons host Lawndale in league today at 7:30 p.m. before going on its Winter Break that includes a tournament next week.
The Saxons will, then, visit a much-improved Palos Verdes team (12-2 overall) on Jan. 3 at 6 p.m., visit Steele Canyon in San Diego County on Jan. 5 at 4:30 p.m. before resuming the Pioneer at West Torrance on Jan. 12.
West is coming off a 57-54 overtime win over South Torrance last Friday at South.
Torrance hosted Wiseburn-DaVinci from El Segundo in league last Tuesday before visiting Kennedy High in La Palma Friday at 6:30 p.m. After Christmas, the Tartars play in a tournament (name unavailable) against Viewpoint High from Calabasas next Wednesday. Torrance also has tournament games against Downey Warren next Thursday and Canyon Crest Academy from San Diego on Dec. 29. The finals are on Dec. 30.
The Tartars resume league at home against South Torrance on Jan. 12.
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GHS is 2-0 in Marine after topping R. Dominguez
Gardena High’s boys’ basketball team is off to a good start in Marine League play at 2-0 after a 60-41 home win over Rancho Dominguez Prep High from Long Beach last Friday.
The Panthers are currently playing in the San Pedro Pirate Shootout where it opened against St. Monica Academy (different from Santa Monica St. Monica) from Montrose last Tuesday. Gardena took on Eagle Rock on Wednesday and face San Pedro Port of Los Angeles on Friday at 6 p.m. The finals are on Saturday.
The Panthers, who are 6-2 overall, rest next week before taking on West L.A. University High in the first round of the San Fernando Classic in Granada Hills on Jan. 2 at 5:30 p.m. Gardena takes on Layton Christian Academy of Granada Hills on Jan. 4 with the final on Jan. 5. The Panthers resume Marine play at Narbonne in Harbor City on Jan. 10 at 4:30 p.m.
Serra had no games last week as it began play in its own Dwan Hurt Memorial Holiday Classic against Los Angeles-Highland Park Franklin on Wednesday. The Cavaliers will host Overland High from Aurora, Colorado today at 7 p.m. The finals are on Saturday. The Cavaliers begin the rigid Del Rey League at home against St. Bernard, the top ranked team in the South Bay by the Daily Breeze, on Jan. 3 before staying home against always tough Torrance Bishop Montgomery on Jan. 5. Both games are at 7 p.m. On Jan. 6, Serra hosts Oakwood Academy at 5 p.m.
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Lady Saxons begin Pioneer League by routing opponents El Segundo, Torrance
North Torrance High’s girls’ basketball team started the Pioneer League with easy victories over hosts El Segundo and Torrance last week.
At El Segundo on Dec. 13, the Lady Saxons crushed the Eagles 67-10. At Torrance last Friday, North had little trouble in disposing the Lady Tartars 77-33.
The Saxons hosted cross town rival South Torrance last Tuesday and remain at home against Lawndale today at 5:30 p.m.
North visits Cerritos High in a non-league game Friday at 6:30 p.m. before traveling to play Hawaii Baptist High in Honolulu next Tuesday. The Saxons resume league at West Torrance on Jan. 12.
Serra’s girls have not played since it won its first Camino Real League game against Mary Star 70-35 on Dec. 7 at Serra.
The Lady Cavaliers will play in the Southern California Invitational at Cathedral Catholic High in San Diego beginning next Wednesday when it takes on Imperial High at 5:30 p.m. Serra also has games against Galena from Northern California on Dec. 28 at 3 p.m. and Clovis North on Dec. 29 at 10:30 a.m. The finals are on Dec. 30. The Cavaliers resume CRL play at St. Joseph High in Lakewood on Jan. 2 at 6:30 p.m. Serra hosts Bishop Amat from La Puente on Jan. 4 at 6 p.m.
Gardena High’s girls’ basketball team is off to a good start at 2-0 in the Marine League and 4-2 overall after routing host Rancho Dominguez Prep 61-19 on Dec. 13 in Long Beach.
The Lady Panthers fell to host Lawndale 70-41 in non-league play last Thursday.
Gardena is currently playing in the Legacy Tournament in South Gate where it opened on Wednesday against Hollywood Bernstein, a team the Panthers routed 67-25 in the first round of the CIF-L.A. City Section Division III playoffs last season. Gardena takes on South Gate today at 4:30 p.m. and San Juan Capistrano Junipero Serra Friday at 7 p.m. The finals are on Saturday.
The Panthers resume the Marine League at Narbonne on Jan. 10 at 3:30 p.m. in Harbor City.
