Two-time defending state champion Harvard-Westlake is reaching peak kind simply because the playoffs beckon, and with Tuesday evening’s 63-52 Mission League win over Sierra Canyon, the Wolverines (23-1) can stay up for loads of video games in Studio Metropolis because the possible No. 1 seed for the league event and Southern Part Open Division playoffs.
“Big win,” coach David Rebibo mentioned.
The large improvement for the Wolverines has been that they’re now eight gamers deep with unsung gamers able to contribute.
In opposition to the Trailblazers (18-4, 4-1), it was Dominique Bentho contributing 11 factors and Amir Jones 10 factors. It was Isaiah Carroll getting 9 rebounds. It was Cole Holden making two threes. Then there have been the same old standouts. Nikolas Khamenia, the McDonald’s All-American, had 17 factors, eight assists and 6 rebounds. Joe Sterling added 12 factors.
“That’s the value of team,” Rebibo mentioned. “On any given night, it could be anyone.”
Bryce James of Sierra Canyon drives in opposition to Harvard-Westlake.
(Craig Weston)
Khamenia retains discovering solution to contribute with out scoring. He took two expenses and twice handed to Carroll for layups within the second half.
“He’s an elite basketball player,” Rebibo mentioned. “He’s the ultimate winner.”
Sierra Canyon obtained a robust recreation from Bryce Cofield, who scored 22 factors, and Bryce James added 11 factors, however the Trailblazers made solely three of 17 from three-point vary.
“We prepare for anything,” Jones mentioned. “We felt we were locked in. It’s good to have guys off the bench.”
Harvard-Westlake held a 25-16 halftime lead. Outdoors of Cofield, Sierra Canyon stored lacking shot after shot, and there have been few second-chance alternatives due to the Wolverines’ rebounding edge. Cofield had 10 of his crew’s 16 factors. James contributed a four-point play, one in every of solely three Sierra Canyon gamers to attain within the half. The Trailblazers have been one for 10 from three-point vary.
Subsequent up are video games on the Intuit Dome on Saturday, together with Sierra Canyon taking up Sherman Oaks Notre Dame in a recreation to resolve the No. 2 seed for a Mission League event that begins Sunday.
