Serra stops Sonora with strong third quarter run

Serra High’s boys’ basketball team was sluggish but turned things around in the second half to defeat host Sonora High 67- 59 in the first round of the CIFSouthern Section Division IIAA playoffs last Friday in La Habra. The Cavaliers, who finished fourth in the always highly competitive Del Rey League, trailed 30-26 at halftime but took the lead for good by outscoring Sonora 19-11 in the third quarter. Leading 45-41 after three periods, Serra steadily pulled away in the fourth quarter. Tomi Adesiji led the Cavaliers, who are 19-11 overall, with a game-high 24 points. Jeremy Dent-Smith added 12 points and Laqwon Cole chipped in 10. Sonora was led by Evan Tardiff with 16 points. Serra moved to the second round where it hosted Oxnard last Tuesday. If the Cavaliers defeat the Yellowjackets, they will play in the quarterfinals at a site to be determined today at 7 p.m. In the CIF-Southern Section Open Division first round, Del Rey League champion Torrance Bishop Montgomery lost to top seed and host Corona Centennial 78-53. Xavier Edmonds led the Knights with 16 points. Will Smith and Christian Jones each contributed 10 points. Bishop Montgomery, the Open Division’s eighth seed, had away games against Crean Lutheran in Irvine last Tuesday and at Damien in La Verne Friday at 7 p.m. Pioneer League champion West Torrance began the CIFSouthern Section Division III A playoffs with a 47-31 home win over Ventura St. Bonaventure last Friday.