The Long Beach Poly Jackrabbits defeated the Loyola Cubs 75-69 in front of a sold-out raucous crowd at Loyola High School Friday night to advance to the CIFSS 1AA semifinals.
Led by PAC-12 bound stars Jordan Bell and Roschon Prince, the Jackrabbits got out to a strong start and built an early lead. Hot shooting from the perimeter and some easy slam dunks on the interior gave Poly a 26-11 advantage after a quarter.
The Loyola Cubs defeated the Pasadena Bulldogs 80-56 to advance in the CIFSS 1AA playoffs. The Cubs blew open a tight game in the fourth quarter. CLA contributor C-Dawg was in the house and on the call for this intense matchup.
Game 7 at the MLK Day Showdown featured the Gardena Serra Cavaliers against the Alemany Warriors.
Alemany enters the contest with a 13-6 record while Serra comes in 16-4. Both teams came out fast and on fire from long range. For Serra, guard Ajon Efferson knocked down a couple jumpers but Alemany responded with jumpers from sophomore Bennie Boatwright and freshman Shacquille Dawkins.
After the first quarter, Alemany led 24-19.
Boatwright hit four three-pointers in the first half to spark the Warriors.
Southern California high school basketball fans are in for a treat Saturday with the Pioneer Hoops Showdown being held at Providence and Bell-Jefferson High Schools in Burbank. The basketball showcase was organized by Providence basketball coach Ernest Baskerville and features several talented ballers from around the state.
There will be six games played at each location. Opening games tip-off at 10am and the nightcaps are expected to tip at 830pm.
After taking home the 2012 EYBL Peach Jam Tournament Championship, the Oakland Soldiers have their sights set on the Fab 48 in Las Vegas, NV this week.
College Level Athletes caught up with Oakland Soldiers forward Stanley Johnson (SF/2014) and he discussed his experience winning the Peach Jam Championship, along with his expectations at the Fab 48 and the upcoming 2012 CIF HS basketball season.
The road trip to the state capitol proved worthwhile for Mater Dei High School as the boys and girls basketball teams took home the California State title. For California’s all-time winning head coach Gary Mcknight, it marked a record ninth state crown.
Watch highlights from the 2012 CIF State Basketball Playoffs. Mater Dei led over Bullard (Fresno) 42-34 at halftime. Xavier Johnson of Mater Dei dominated the inside during the first two quarters and helped his team maintain a the lead throughout the second half to give the Monarchs a birth in the CIF State Championship game at Arco Arena 3/24 vs. Sheldon (Sacramento).
Mater Dei countered with solid performances from senior big man Xavier Johnson, sophomore sensation Stanley Johnson and UNLV bound guard Katin Reinhardt. The terrific trio combined for 64 of the Monarchs 75 points.
After a see-saw first half with numerous lead changes, the Monarchs went to the half clinging to a 30-29 lead.
Check out these photos on College Level Athletes that feature the Mater Dei Monarchs vs. Loyola Cubs in the 2012 CIF Southern Regional Division I Boys Basketball Tournament. Mater Dei won 75-63 over Loyola.
Both teams came out of the break playing inspired basketball and giving it their all. Xavier Johnson led the Monarch with 26 points, a vast majority coming inside the paint. The Monarchs had the clear advantage inside and they exploited it relentlessly. Stanley Johnson stepped his game up in the second half, finishing the game with 17 points.