Gardena High’s boys’ basketball team had problems handling the ball against a stingy Hamilton defense as the Yankees eliminated the Panthers 72-51 in the CIF-Los Angeles City Section Division I semifinals last Saturday at the Roybal Learning Center in Downtown L.A.
Gardena High’s boys’ basketball team had problems handling the ball against a stingy Hamilton defense as the Yankees eliminated the Panthers 72-51 in the CIF-Los Angeles City Section Division I semifinals last Saturday at the Roybal Learning Center in Downtown L.A.
Hamilton, the playoffs’ No. 3 seed, used a combination of a half court trap and a three-two zone defense that forced Gardena into 28 turnovers. During much of the game, the Panthers were unable to even get off shots as the quicker Yankees recorded numerous steals. Gardena also had trouble on the boards, totaling just 18 rebounds the entire game.
“We didn’t handle the ball well,” Gardena head coach Ernie Carr said. “We also didn’t rebound. Hamilton wanted it more than us.”
Hamilton led the entire game. The Panthers got as close as three points (13-10) on a basket by Issac Green late in the first quarter but, after that, the Yankees pulled away. Leading 18-10 after the first quarter, Hamilton dominated the second period, outscoring Gardena (18-13) 20-9 to take a 38-19 halftime lead.
The Panthers had two big come-from-behind victories over Chatsworth (53-44 on Feb. 17) and View Park Prep (65-57 on Feb. 20) in the first two rounds. Gardena, the No. 7 seed, rallied from an 18-point second quarter deficit against the Chancellors and was down as much as 14 against View Park.
Gardena was unable to get to within less than 16 points in the remainder of the game. Hamilton went on to lead by as much as 30 points.
The Panthers were led by Dominic Datu with 14 points. Jordan Howard added 13 points, including three three-point baskets.
The Yankees, who will face Fremont in the City Division I championship Saturday at the Cal State Dominguez Hills Toro Dome in Carson, were led by Louis Walker with a game-high 16 points.
In the CIF-L.A. City Open Division championship semifinals on Saturday night at Roybal, Narbonne made its first top division City final by defeating defending City Open Division champion Fairfax 51-40. Jamal Hicks, who also keyed the Gauchos’ football team to the City Division I and California State Division IA titles in December, led Narbonne with 12 points and four steals.
The Gauchos, who improved to 22-6, played without two players in Anthony Langston and Alex Akingbulu who were both injured which makes this an even bigger victory.
Narbonne, the playoffs second seed, moved on to face top seed Westchester, which defeated Dorsey 65-57. The game will be at 8 p.m. at Cal State Dominguez Hills and is expected to be televised on the Time Warner Community Channel.
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Serra Girls’ Basketball
Lady Cavs move to consolation semis after key win over Etiwanda
By Joe Snyder
Sports Editor
After opening the prestigious CIF-Southern Section Open Division playoffs with a loss at Windward High on Feb. 20, Serra High’s girls’ basketball team got back on the winning track after key home victories over Studio City Harvard-Westlake and Etiwanda last week.
On Feb. 24, the Cavaliers held off the Wolverines 59-56. Last Saturday, Serra avenged an earlier loss to the powerful Eagles with a 54-43 win.
Leading by three (11-8) after the first quarter, Serra proceeded to outscore Etiwanda 29-21 over the next two periods to pull out to an 11-point (40-29) lead. The Cavaliers continued to lead throughout the remainder of the game. Serra lost at Etiwanda in a non-league game in December.
The Cavaliers’ balanced scoring attack was led by Briana Johnson with 12 points and five assists. Brooke Bayman and freshman Alexis Tucker each added 10 points. Brijaye Brackett hauled down nine rebounds and Rachel Duru pulled down eight.
Against a very tough Harvard-Westlake squad, Serra led by 10 at 47-37 after three quarters. The Wolverines rallied to outscore the Cavaliers 19-12 in the fourth period but Serra (22-8) was able to hold on.
Rachel Duru sparked the Cavaliers with 20 points and eight rebounds. Johnson chipped in 18 points.
Serra hosted Alemany from Mission Hills last Tuesday in hope to reach the consolation finals Friday at a site to be determined. The Cavaliers are still seeking a spot at the CIF-State Open Division playoffs but are already, at least, in Division I if they fail to do so.
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Serra Boys’ Basketball
Serra makes it to Division IVAA final after outlasting San Gabriel Academy
By Joe Snyder
Sports Editor
Serra High’s boys’ basketball team was not that impressive in the regular season but played a rigorous schedule that included an always very highly competitive Del Rey League.
The Cavaliers moved on to the CIF-Southern Section Division IVAA championship by way of an 83-75 overtime victory over host San Gabriel Academy last Saturday.
For awhile, it appeared that San Gabriel Academy would eliminate Serra. It held a three-point lead but fouled Serra freshman Ray Knight, Jr. with just one second left in regulation. Knight made all three free throws to tie the game at 69 and send it into overtime.
In the overtime period, the Cavaliers proceeded to outscore San Gabriel 14-6 to pull off the win and send them to Friday or Saturday’s championship against Notre Dame High from Sherman Oaks.
Serra trailed by as much as 16 points in the first quarter and was down 34-21 at halftime before the big second half rally that tied the game.
Knight led the Cavaliers with 19 points.
In the quarterfinals on Feb. 23 at Serra, the Cavaliers passed a stiff test by topping a very good Junipero Serra High team from San Juan Capistrano 84-76. Serra (15-14) was led by sophomore Kobe Smith with 17 points.
Serra faces Notre Dame at a site to be determined by the CIF-Southern Section.
