L-R: Bryce Hamilton (Pasadena), Darius Brown (Pasadena), Terence Lang (Maranatha), Sean Espinosa (Maranatha), Dez Washington (Blair), Gabe Snow (Blair). By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor If you don’t have any plans this weekend, and you’re a fan of Pasadena area basketball, Azusa Pacific University is the place to be. ** Pasadena, it was announced Monday by […]
L-R: Bryce Hamilton (Pasadena), Darius Brown (Pasadena), Terence Lang (Maranatha), Sean Espinosa (Maranatha), Dez Washington (Blair), Gabe Snow (Blair).
By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor
If you don’t have any plans this weekend, and you’re a fan of Pasadena area basketball, Azusa Pacific University is the place to be.
** Pasadena, it was announced Monday by CIF, will take on Harvard-Westlake at 9 p.m. on Friday.
The Bulldogs (24-5) are on a southern-section best 19-game win streak and will take on the Wolverines (20-11), who finished second in a very difficult Mission League behind Alemany.
Pasadena will need big games from stars Bryce Hamilton (23 points, 11 rebounds) and Darius Brown II (18 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists), but as always, the Bulldogs get contributions from its entire roster.
** Maranatha has been as clutch and impressive as anyone this postseason.
The Minutemen (18-9), in the last three rounds, have defeated St. John Bosco, Tahquitz and Cantwell-Sacred Heart by a grand total of 6 points. In each of those game, the season’s end was on the line late, and yet each night, Maranatha found a different hero.
Senior point guard Sean Espinosa has been solid throughout, as has Chris Austin, Terrance Lang and Jesse Elrod.
Maranatha will take on Rancho Verde (25-3) on Saturday at 8 p.m.
“I know it would (have been) a great opportunity and experience to play at the Honda Center (in Anaheim), but I know that playing at APU will bring more fans and will create a more spirited feeling than it would have at the Honda Center,” Espinosa said. “Regardless of where we play, we are ready to get the job done.”
The Mustangs have won 15 consecutive games, including playoff victories over Serra, Calabasas and Etiwanda, respectively.
** Last but certainly not least, Blair looks to complete its magical season on Saturday at 6 p.m. when they take on West Torrance (21-8) just before the Maranatha-Rancho Verde game.
Dez Washington is just a junior, but he’s playing like a star senior.
The 6-foot-7 forward is averaging 25 points per game in the Vikings’ four postseason wins over Ontario, Flintridge Prep, Jurupa Valley and Woodcrest Christian.
Gabe Snow, Caleb Smith, Dallas Murray and Jack Dakan have all been key in Blair’s best run since 1981.
West Torrance has playoff wins over Katella, San Marino and Rowland.
Pasadena area fans could potentially celebrate three CIF championships in a span of 26 hours or so, and all three schools and teams hope you make the 20-minute drive to Azusa.
CIF-SS Basketball Championhip Schedule at Azusa Pacific University:
Friday: CIF-SS Division 1-A final: Pasadena vs Harvard-Westlake at 9 p.m.
Saturday: CIF-SS Division 1-AA final: Maranatha vs Rancho Verde at 8 p.m.
Saturday: CIF-SS Division 4-AA final: Blair vs West Torrance at 6 p.m.
