The James period at Sierra Canyon is just not fairly over but. There may be nonetheless one sport left.
Bryce James, the youthful son of Lakers famous person LeBron James, deferred to his teammates for many of Tuesday evening’s Southern California Regional Division I closing, scoring solely three factors, however Gavin Hightower and Maximo Adams picked up the slack, ending with 25 and 22, respectively, in a 74-68 victory over visiting Redondo Union in Chatsworth.
Just like the groups’ first encounter in pool play of the Southern Part Open Division playoffs on Feb. 12, which the Trailblazers received by three in extra time, the gifted rosters stuffed with four- and five-star recruits traded baskets till the ultimate minute. Hightower leaped excessive to rebound a missed Adams jumper, whirled and made a layup whereas being fouled to place the highest seed forward, 69-68, with 49 seconds left. He made the free throw to make it a two-point sport. and Redondo by no means scored once more.
The sport featured not solely most of the best basketball gamers in California, but in addition two of the state’s winningest coaches matching wits in Redondo Union’s Reggie Morris and Sierra Canyon’s Andre Chevalier, who acquired a giant hug from Adams when the buzzer sounded.
Guard Gavin Hightower drives round Redondo’s Chris Sanders within the second half.
(Steve Galluzzo / For The Occasions)
“This year’s been a long road with lots injuries and lots of ups and downs,” mentioned Chevalier, who has guided the Trailblazers to their first regional crown since 2020, when James’ older brother, Bronny, was on the squad. The state finals have been canceled that season due to the COVID-19 outbreak, so James & Co. have an opportunity to complete the job. “Reggie’s an absolutely amazing coach and an even better man. He gave us a different look tonight, which I knew he would, and we had to adjust.”
An Arizona commit, James took footage with followers whereas hugging the regional {hardware}.
“He had the love of his brother holding up the trophy with him and that was beautiful to see,” Chevalier mentioned.
Sierra Canyon (26-7) performs Stockton Lincoln (31-4), the Northern California champion, Friday at 8 p.m. at Golden 1 Middle in Sacramento.
“Man, I’ve never won [the title] so I want to put a banner in the gym,” Hightower mentioned. “God’s given us the opportunity. Bryce is a key piece to our team, but we all love each other. We don’t care who scores more points.”
The third-seeded Seahawks (28-6) managed the primary half earlier than Stephen Kankole’s three-pointer with 25 seconds left gave Sierra Canyon its first lead, 37-35. Bryce Cofield added 14 factors for the Trailblazers and Hudson Mayes scored 19 for Redondo, which completed 14 for 15 on the foul line.
“It was a great team win,” Adams mentioned. “We fought to the end. I wasn’t aggressive enough last time we played them. Now it’s about staying locked in for Friday. The job’s not done.”
