By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor Over the Christmas break and New Year’s, most of the area’s basketball teams were playing in tournaments. The hope was to prepare their squads for the beginning of league play. Today (Friday, Jan 13) is a big night for many Pasadena programs. ** St. Francis (11-5 overall, 1-2 in league) […]
By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor
Over the Christmas break and New Year’s, most of the area’s basketball teams were playing in tournaments.
The hope was to prepare their squads for the beginning of league play.
Today (Friday, Jan 13) is a big night for many Pasadena programs.
** St. Francis (11-5 overall, 1-2 in league) will be in Los Angeles tonight to take on Loyola at 7.
Joey Walsh has been the Golden Knights go-to guy all year.
Walsh is averaging 19 points and 7 rebounds, while Malakhi Jensen is scoring 12 points per game and Omari Moore 9.
The Golden Knights have already won 4 more games than all of last year and they are coming off a 78-74, overtime victory over Chaminade Wednesday to claim their first Mission League game of the season.
For those who can’t make it to Los Angeles, they can watch the game streamed online live on the High School Sports Network.
Loyola (9-5, 1-2) has 5 players averaging at least 7 points per game, and is led by Khristion Courseault and Neil Owens, who score 9 points per game.
** Pasadena (11-5, 4-0) looks to stay perfect in the Pacific League when the Bulldogs host Hoover (6-9, 0-3) at 7.
Bryce Hamilton (20 points, 11 rebounds) and Darius Brown II (17 points, 4 rebounds) have been a dynamic duo thus far for the Bulldogs.
** Muir (10-6, 3-1) looks to keep pace with rival Pasadena one week before they meet up for the first time.
The Mustangs will host Crescenta Valley (7-5, 1-1) at 7.
Blair (12-4, 0-1) is looking to get back on track after a Rio Hondo League opening setback to La Canada.
Blair will travel to San Marino (9-7, 1-0) at 7.
The Vikings’ Dezmond Washington has been remarkable with an average scoring output of 23 points per game, while Jack Dakan, Gabriel Snow, Jordan Hall and Caleb Smith all score at least 10 points per game.
** La Salle (10-6, 1-0) will go to Bellarmine-Jefferson (2-11, 0-1) tonight at 7.
The Lancers won their Camino Real League opener over St. Monica, 51-35, Wednesday night.
** Flintridge Prep (5-6, 2-0) has won its first two Prep League games over Rio Hondo Prep and Firebaugh.
The Rebels go to Chadwick (6-10, 0-1) at 7:30 tonight.
Prep is led offensively by Jake Althouse and Kendall Kikkawa.
Their opponent, the Dolphins are coming off a 67-41 league-opening game to Poly on Tuesday.
** The premier girls game tonight is Flintridge Prep at Chadwick (10-3, 4-0) at 6.
The Dolphins have Prep League wins over Westridge twice, Mayfield and Poly.
The Rebels (14-2, 3-0) are on a 6-game win streak, including victories over Rio Hondo Prep, Firebaugh and Mayfield in Prep League games.
Prep has a 3-headed scoring monster of Renae Tamura, Kaitlyn Chen and Taylor Yoshida, who all average 13 points or better per game.
The winner of tonight’s game will snatch sole possession of first place in league.
