By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor It’s been just a week since Pasadena last took the court, but ask any of the players and coaches and they’ll tell you that it feels like it’s been a month. The Bulldogs defeated Peninsula, 75-66, last Friday, which guaranteed them a spot in the CIF-SS Division 1-A title game. […]
By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor
It’s been just a week since Pasadena last took the court, but ask any of the players and coaches and they’ll tell you that it feels like it’s been a month.
The Bulldogs defeated Peninsula, 75-66, last Friday, which guaranteed them a spot in the CIF-SS Division 1-A title game.
The time is finally now for the Bulldogs.
Pasadena (24-5) will take on Harvard-Westlake (20-11) tonight at 9 p.m. at Azusa Pacific University.
The Pacific League champions enter the night with a southern-section best 19-game win streak.
Bryce Hamilton, Darius Brown II and Darius Mason lead the way for Pasadena, but coach Tony Brooks knows he’ll need contributions from his entire roster to get by Harvard-Westlake.
Hamilton leads the area with a 22-point and 11-rebound average, and the Bulldogs are looking to win their first title since 2012, when Blake Hamilton, his older brother played for Pasadena.
“We can’t wait to play,” Hamilton said. “We’re ready to play no matter what (the place and time). We just need to come out and play like we’ve played all year. We want to slow down their offense and pressure them.”
Brown II sets the tone and pace for the Bulldogs.
The junior is scoring 18 points and dishing out 7 assists per night, and is an incredibly balanced weapon for the Bulldogs.
“We’re very confident going into this game and defense is the key,” Brown II said. “I just need to make sure we’re ready to play. We need to limit second-chance points.”
Mason is just a sophomore, but plays huge for Pasadena.
He’s scoring 12 per night, and gathers 6 rebounds.
“We’re honored to be here,” Mason said. “My role is to take a shot anytime we need a shot, rebound, make steals. Everybody likes each other and we’re not all about one player. We need our fans to come out (Friday night) and support us.”
Jesse Watkins in an unsung hero that championship teams need.
He usually ends up with 6 points and 6 rebounds per game.
“We have to go out and rebound and make plays,” Watkins said. “I need to bring energy to this team. We’re working well together. We want to stop the highlight plays.”
There is no secret who the defensive target is on.
Cassius Stanley scores 18 a night for the Wolverines, and Johnny Juzang adds another 16 to the Harvard-Westlake offense.
The Wolverines are on a 5-game win streak and got tested all year in the very difficult Mission League.
“We’ve been waiting 7 or 8 days for this and done a lot of preparation and review,” Pasadena coach Tony Brooks said. “We have to stick to what’s always been successful all year for us, and that’s our defense. Nothing changes for us. We will continue to do what works for us. They have excellent athletes at all five positions.”
By The Numbers:
Current win streak: Pasadena-19; Harvard-Westlake 5.
Points scored: Pasadena-1,902; Harvard-Westlake 1,936.
Points allowed: Pasadena- 1,540; Harvard-Westlake 1,781.
Points per game: Pasadena-67; Harvard-Westlake 63.
League: Pasadena- first place, 14-0; Harvard Westlake-second place, 8-4.
Leading scorers:
Cassius Stanley (HW) 18, Johnny Juzang (HW) 16; Bryce Hamilton (P) 23, Darius Brown II (P) 18.
Leading rebounder:
Johnny Juzang (HW) 8; Bryce Hamilton (P) 11.
Leading assists:
Cassius Stanley (HW) 4; Darius Brown II (P) 7.
Playoff Results:
Round one:
Pasadena had a bye
Harvard-Westlake 80, West Ranch 62
Round two:
Pasadena 69, Beaumont 47
Harvard-Westlake 52, Kaiser 50
Quarterfinal:
Pasadena 47, Corona del Mar 44
Harvard-Westlake 77, King 48
Semifinal:
Pasadena 75, Peninsula 66
Harvard-Westlake 54, Loyola 45
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