Joe Sterling’s Last-Minute Free Throws Lead Harvard-Westlake to Victory in Basketball Match
Harvard-Westlake Secures Close Win Against Rolling Hills Prep
In a highly anticipated high school basketball matchup, Harvard-Westlake edged out Rolling Hills Prep with a narrow 50-46 victory on Saturday night at St. Francis High School. The game showcased the defensive prowess characteristic of coaches Harvey Kitani and David Rebibo, as both teams fought intensely for every point over the course of the 32-minute contest.
With just 21 seconds remaining, Joe Sterling sealed the win for Harvard-Westlake (17-2) by making four consecutive free throws. The critical moment came after Rolling Hills Prep (13-5) managed to trim the deficit to 48-46 with a three-pointer from Aaron Heinze, forcing them to foul Sterling, a noted clutch free-throw shooter.
Sterling led his team with 16 points, while Pierce Thompson contributed 14 points. Dominique Bentho added a noteworthy performance with 11 points and 12 rebounds. For Rolling Hills Prep, Nick Welch Jr. was the standout, scoring 21 points on eight-for-14 shooting, with Carter Fulton supporting him with 10 points.
Other notable games included Santa Margarita’s 72-41 win over Fairfax, propelled by Brayden Kyman’s 21 points, and St. Pius X-St. Matthias’s 67-62 victory over JSerra, where Kayleb Kearse netted 27 points. Meanwhile, Sierra Canyon continued its strong season, defeating Phoenix St. Mary’s 77-45, led by Brandon McCoy’s 18 points.
Inglewood delivered a thrilling overtime win against Pasadena, ending the game at 98-97. Jason Crowe Jr. was the star of the night, finishing with an impressive 51 points, including the game-winning shot from NBA range.
In girls’ basketball, Harvard-Westlake defeated Phoenix Desert Vista 51-39, with freshman Lucia Khamenia contributing 24 points. Brentwood also secured a win over Cardinal Newman with a score of 59-53, thanks to Kelsey Sugar’s 24 points.
As the season progresses, these matchups underline the competitive spirit and resilience of high school basketball teams striving for success.
