The game that many hoped would happen in February is finally not going to happen in the Southern California Regional Open Division boys’ basketball championship game.
Harvard-Westlake (31-2), which was upset by St. John Bosco in Southern Section Open Division pool play, will finally face Corona Centennial in a highly anticipated game Tuesday night at Centennial. The winner will advance to the state championships on March 11 in Sacramento.
Centennial (30-3), the defending state champion, defeated San Diego St. Augustine 89-67 in its semifinal on Saturday night. Mike Price scored 24 points and Jared McCain scored 23 points. Harvard-Westlake avenged their previous loss by defeating St. John Bosco 69–64 in a road win. The Wolverines hadn’t played in 15 days, but their focus was on earning a chance to play in Centennial.
Brady Dunlap, who said the Wolverines would “wear on their sleeve” the memory of that 62–55 loss on February 14, contributed 18 points. Jacob Huggins added 15 points. Christian Horry took a crucial charging foul late in the game and also made two three-pointers off the bench.
“We’re coming for them. We’re going to give them our best shot,” Dunlap told Spectrum Sportsnet about playing Centennial.
Sherman Oaks Notre Dame 81, Mater Dei 59: The top-seeded Knights advanced to the Division I regional finals with a dominant second-half performance. They will host Sierra Canyon on Tuesday which will be the fourth time the two teams will be facing each other. Notre Dame is 3-0 against the Trailblazers this season.
Mercy Miller scored 28 points, Caleb Foster had 19 and Dusty Stromer scored 15 for the Knights, who have never played for a state championship.
Orange Lutheran 51, Tesoro 50: In Division II, the Lancers avenged the previous week’s loss to Tesoro by stopping a final shot attempt. Orange Lutheran will play Pacifica Christian, the winner of 60-58 at Oxnard, in the final. EJ Spielman scored 14 points for Pacific Christian.
Valencia 89, Long Beach Jordan 80: The Vikings advanced to the Division IV Regional Finals. Mika Ballew scored 26 points and Bryce Bedgood contributed 24 points and 15 rebounds. Valencia will play St. Bonaventure, the 71-66 winner over San Pedro in overtime.
boys soccer
Jesera 3, Birmingham 0: The Lions won the Division I regional championship behind Reagan Heuslin, who contributed two goals.
girls soccer
Santa Margarita 1, Los Alamitos 0: Faith George scored the only goal as the Eagles won the Division I regional title.
Hearts 4, San Marcos 2: The Indians won the Division II regional championship. Alexis Nguyen scored twice for Hearts.