By Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor It’s only been four days since Maranatha and Blair lost their CIF-SS championship games at Azusa Pacific University. For Pasadena, it’s been five days, but all three programs are itching to get back on the court as the CIF State playoffs begin tonight (Wednesday). All games have a 7:30 tip off. […]
By Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor
It’s only been four days since Maranatha and Blair lost their CIF-SS championship games at Azusa Pacific University.
For Pasadena, it’s been five days, but all three programs are itching to get back on the court as the CIF State playoffs begin tonight (Wednesday).
All games have a 7:30 tip off.
CIF Division 2: Pasadena (24-6) at Heritage Christian (20-9) of Northridge:
Pasadena will look to rebound from Friday’s title-game loss at the hands of Harvard-Westlake.
The Bulldogs were uncharacteristically cold offensively and their slow start cost them any chance at a CIF-Division 1-A championship.
But five days later, they get a shot at redemption .
As always, Bryce Hamilton (23 points, 11 rebounds), Darius Brown II (18 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds) and Darius Mason (12 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists) will lead the Bulldogs.
Pasadena had won 19 consecutive games heading into its finals loss to Harvard-Westlake, and yet the Bulldogs got a No. 13 seed and a road game.
Heritage Christian were the Olympic League’s co-champs with Maranatha and the Warriors are averaging 77 points per game.
Heritage Christian is coming off a pair of Open Division losses to Sierra Canyon and Corona Centennial.
CIF Division 2: Bakersfield (21-11) at Maranatha (18-10):
Maranatha looks to rebound from a 43-41 Division 1-AA title-game loss to Rancho Verde.
As always, especially in the playoffs, the Minutemen can look down and out, and the next thing you know, they’re right back in the driver’s seat.
Chris Austin’s 18 points per game lead the Minutemen.
Senior point guard Sean Espinosa scores 13 a night and also runs the Maranatha offense.
Espinosa dishes out 4 assists and grabs 4 rebounds per night.
Terrance Lang (5 points, 5 rebounds) and Jesse Elrod (7 points, 5 rebounds) both play physical and need to hope Wednesday night’s refereeing team allows them to use their size to their advantage, unlike the crew on Saturday night.
Xavier Esquivel leads Bakersfield with 18 points per game.
CIF Division 4: Palisades (16-13) at Blair (24-7):
Blair’s offense should be exponentially better tonight when it hosts Palisades.
The Vikings had their worst shooting game of the year in Saturday’s loss to West Torrance.
Only Dez Washington and Dallas Murray had even scored in the first half.
But a little home cooking should be of great comfort for the Vikings.
Washington has been phenomenal.
He scored 120 points in 5 CIF-SS Division 4-AA playoff games, and has been a monster on the boards as well.
But Blair will need Jack Dakan (14 points per game) and Gabe Snow (12 points) to return to form if they want their season to be extended.
Caleb Smith had 8 assists on Saturday and he averages 11 points per game.
Palisades is coming off an 80-50 loss to Crenshaw in the CIF-SS LA City Section playoffs, and haven’t played since Feb. 24.
