(Graphic: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone)
DIVISION 1
Notre Dame Sherman Oaks 74, Crean Lutheran 64 (OT): Crean Lutheran (16-13) battled back from a 12-point halftime deficit against top-seeded Notre Dame to send the game into overtime at home but could not survive in overtime in the opening round.
The Knights employed a full court press forcing 12 first half Crean Lutheran turnovers which gave them a 39-23 lead with less than two minutes to go in the first half with Mercy Miller and Angelino Mark scoring a combined 30 points during that time.
In the second half it was a different story with the Crean Lutheran defense limiting the Knights to just four baskets, two late in the fourth quarter. The Saints cut the lead to 50-43 at the end of the third quarter. The Saints actually took the lead twice in the fourth quarter from the efforts of Kaiden Bailey and Jacob Majok. Bailey’s three pointer gave Crean Lutheran its final lead, 60-58, with a minute to go in regulation.
University of Houston commit Miller took over in OT scoring 10 of his game high 32 points. The Knights made 20 of 26 free throws to four of 10 for Crean Lutheran. Angelino Mark finished with 14 points before leaving the game a second time due to injury while Zachary White scored 13 points for Notre Dame Sherman Oaks.
Kaiden Bailey led Crean Lutheran with 25 points, five three-pointers and five assists. Jacob Majok contributed 14 points in the paint and Braeden Davidson scored an even dozen points to go along with three assists.
—Report courtesy Daryl Bogard
West Ranch 67, Edison 52
Santa Margarita 72, Oxnard 55: Dallas Washington scored 22 points, Cameron McNamee 16 points, DeMarco Johnson 14 points and Brayden Kyman added nine rebounds for the Eagles.
Foothill 59, Brentwood 45: The Knights opened the playoffs with a home win and move on to the second round Friday at Redondo Union. Travis Paleo scored 25 points, Isaiah Bernard had 14 points, eight rebounds and three steals and Mansur McClain had 14 points and five rebounds to lead Foothill.
Canyon 61. Rancho Cucamonga 59
St. Francis 45, Pacifica Christian 39
DIVISION 2AA
Fountain Valley 54, Providence Burbank 50
Crescenta Valley at Trabuco Hills (NA)
Linfield Christian 64, Dana Hills 62
Aquinas 53, San Juan Hills 50
Trabuco Hills 79, Crescenta Valley 61
DIVISION 2A
Cypress 67, Beaumont 59: Cypress was led by Jonah Kim with 19 points. Michael Wright had another double double with 17 points and 14 rebounds and Kingston Birdsong finished 15 points. Ryan Gov added nine points. Cypress battled back from a 4-point halftime deficit for the win.
Coach Derek Mitchell’s Centurions head to Palmdale to take on Knight in the second round.
Murrieta Valley 63, Newport Harbor 61
Corona del Mar 67, Aliso Niguel 36
DIVISION 3AA
La Habra 71, Yorba Linda 56: Host La Habra used an energetic first quarter to put in a deficit it could not overcome and the Highlanders opened the CIF basketball playoffs with a 71-56 victory over the Mustangs Wednesday night.
Using a zone press and its matchup 2-3 zone, La Habra inspired a partisan crowd by scoring 11 of the game’s first 13 points while building a 23-11 first-quarter advantage. The clubs played a relatively even match the rest of the way as the Highlanders top-seeded in the CIF’s 3AA recorded their 16th win in as row and 25th in 29 games this season.
The win advanced La Habra to s second round game Long Beach Jordan Friday night. The Panthers advanced with a 58-54 decision over Mark Keppel.
La Habra, plying in front of a highly partisan crowd on rainy night, had three players in double figures led by sophomore guard Acen Jimenez, with 18 points. Jimenez was 8-for-13 from the floor, leading an impressive shooting effort by the Highlanders, who made 27 of their 48 floor shots (58 percent).
Jaeden Anderson added 16 points, including 3 3s and Sebastian Esparza (12) and Grayson Sinek (13) also scored in double figures. All but two of La Habra’s 71 points were scored by underclassmen.
Yorba Linda (16-12) was led by the Law brothers, senior Orlando, with 17 points, two blocks and four rebounds, and junior Jordan, with 13 points.
—Courtesy Jim McCormack, For OC Sports Zone
Bonita 44, Tustin 41
DIVISION 3A
Woodbridge 60, Rowland 30: Host Woodbridge, which was moved up to the No. 2 seed in the division, was led by Stephen Lamp, who had 18 points and Jason Briggs and Jaiden Sabino, who had 11 points each. The Warriors move on to face El Dorado Friday at Woodbridge.
Northwood 75, Quartz Hill 69: Northwood (22-7) was led by Sidd Raj who had 20 points. Ryan Abaye and Zaid Yunis had 19 points each for the Timberwolves. Aidan Arnold had seven points and Sam Alegre six points for Northwood, which moves on to face Huntington Beach Friday on the Oilers’ home court.
El Dorado 57, Hart 45: The Golden Hawks (19-10) were led by Nathan Meek with 15 points and Noah Barker with 14 points. Andrew Salvador had 13 points and Caleb Hendrix 12 points for El Dorado, which will play at No. 2 Woodbridge Friday night.
Calvary Chapel 73, Cate 44: Calvary Chapel was led by Jordan Embry and Brannon Berry, who had 16 points each. Jaden Embry had 13 points for the Eagles, who play at top-seeded San Clemente Friday night.
Huntington Beach 58, Gahr 52
St. Margaret’s 58, Filios 52
Troy 75, Liberty 73
DIVISION 4A
Irvine 71, Midland 23: Irvine, making its first appearance in the CIF playoffs in nine years, notched the first playoff victory for the program in 15 years, according to Coach Harry Meussner. Cooper Stearns scored 19 points, Finn Hoffman had 10 points and Ali Dal seven points. Third-seeded Irvine (16-13) moves on to the second round Friday at home vs. Hillcrest Christian.
DIVISION 4AA
Costa Mesa 86, Burroughs 77: Costa Mesa, the Orange Coast League champion, was led by Dylan Dunbar, who had 25 points. Marlee Slone had 17 points and seven assists, Kembe Howerton 14 points and 11 rebounds; Marco Rosas 15 points and six rebounds and Garry Slone, who had nine points and seven assists. Costa Mesa plays Brea Olinda Friday night.
Western Chrsitian 64, Segerstrom 48
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DIVISION 5AA
Godinez 82, Marshall 43: Jaiden Torres scored 14 points, Adrian Gonzalez had 13 points and Lucas Andaluz and Israel Moreno 10 points each to lead the third-seeded Grizzlies to a win at home. Godinez plays Heritage in Menifee Friday night.
Tarbut V’ Torah 51, San Jacinto 41: TVT pulled away in the fourth quarter for the victory. Yonah Light had 17 points and 12 rebounds, Jake Goblentz-Brown 16 points and nine rebounds and the 3-pointer in the fourth quarter to seal the win. Isaac Joelson added 15 points for the Lions, who move on to play Saturday.
DIVISION 5A
Rancho Alamitos 69, Colton 51: Henry Phan scored 22 points, Inoke Malo had 19 points, Luis Rico 14 points and Ozzy Ramos 10 points and 13 rebounds. The Vaqueros will host Anaheim Friday night.
Los Amigos 65, River Springs 22
Source: CIF-SS and local coaches; send scores to timburt@ocsportszone.com
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