Sierra Canyon Beats Harvard-Westlake to Reach State Basketball Finals
Sierra Canyon Triumphs in Regional Championship, Advances to State Finals
In a thrilling match at Sierra Canyon High School, the Trailblazers (29-1) solidified their status as top contenders for the state title by defeating Harvard-Westlake 63-57 on Tuesday night. The win, which required the Trailblazers to overcome Harvard-Westlake for the third time this season, showcased their resilience and teamwork ahead of the Open Division regional championship.
Sierra Canyon is set to face Richmond Salesian on Saturday at 8 p.m. at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. Harvard-Westlake coach David Rebibo acknowledged the challenges posed by the Trailblazers. “Salesian is a good team, but this Sierra Canyon team is talented, versatile and presents a lot of challenges,” he said.
Maxi Adams, a standout with aspirations to join North Carolina next season, emerged as the star of the night. The 6-foot-8 forward took charge early, scoring 26 points and demonstrating his commitment to the team’s success, despite the arrival of new players. “He knew he was going to have to play great,” commented Sierra Canyon coach Andre Chevalier, who appreciated Adams’ immediate impact in the game.
Harvard-Westlake (27-7) entered halftime trailing by just two points at 33-31 but fell behind by ten at the end of the third quarter. A pivotal three-pointer by Brandon McCoy, who contributed 11 points, halted Harvard-Westlake’s momentum. Throughout the second half, the Trailblazers displayed a relentless effort, gradually wearing down their opponents as the home crowd roared in support.
Despite Harvard-Westlake’s determination to rally, Rebibo reflected on missed opportunities, stating, “Offensive rebounds and turnovers were two things we needed to be perfect on and it impacted us. I love these guys. Incredible kids. They never gave up and accepted every challenge. It’s a team I will never forget.”
In other matchups, Damien defeated St. John Bosco 48-41, with Elijah Smith scoring 20 points, propelling the Spartans to the Division I championship game against Folsom. Birmingham advanced to the Division III state championship after winning 73-58 against Colony. Tekeio Phillips led with 18 points, while X’zavion McKay, Charles Eleri, and Wisdom Burnes each added 13 points.
San Juan Hills ended top-seeded Tulare Union’s campaign with a 74-66 victory, earning a spot in the Division IV final against Sacred Heart Prep. Sylmar also pulled off an upset, defeating Coalinga 66-58, with Rob Winn scoring 28 points, allowing the Spartans to compete for their first state championship in Division V.
On the girls’ side, Ontario Christian dominated Sage Hill 73-51, taking an early 34-4 lead and securing their place in the Open Division state championship against Archbishop Mitty. Other notable outcomes included Corona Centennial’s 81-61 win over Rancho Christian and El Dorado’s narrow 61-56 victory against Leuzinger, both advancing to their respective championship games.
As the playoffs continue, the stage is set for a series of exciting matchups, with teams vying for coveted state titles in California’s high school basketball scene.
