Damien Takes Down Crespi with Strong Three-Point Game in Prep Sports Roundup
Damien High School Advances in Regional Playoffs with Impressive Three-Point Performance
In a thrilling matchup in the Southern California Division I regional playoffs, Damien High School defeated Crespi 59-55, showcasing a remarkable three-point shooting performance. Under the leadership of Coach Mike LeDuc, the Spartans continued their successful campaign, building on a prior victory against Inglewood in which they sank 13 three-pointers.
Junior Zaire Rasshan played a pivotal role in the latest win, hitting six of 11 attempts from beyond the arc and finishing the game with a total of 18 points. "We have shot a lot of threes this year," LeDuc remarked, indicating a consistent strategy that has served the team well.
Rasshan’s performance has drawn comparisons to former standout Tracy Murray, who holds the state record as an all-time scoring leader with 3,053 points. LeDuc noted, "He has free range as long as it’s a shot he can make," emphasizing the freedom Rasshan has to take shots as part of their game plan.
With this win, Damien (29-7) now advances to play Crean Lutheran in the regional semifinal, following Crean’s narrow 71-66 victory over second-seeded Corona Centennial.
Despite the loss, Crespi (21-14) showed promise for the future, as all five of their starters are underclassmen. Jasiah Williams contributed 13 points, while both Isaiah Barnes and Rodney Mukendi added 10 points each.
In other regional playoff action, Palisades triumphed over Eastvale Roosevelt 62-56, moving forward to the Division II regional semifinal. OJ Popoola led Palisades with 24 points, alongside significant contributions from teammates Phillip Reed and Jack Levey.
In the Division III category, Shalhevet defeated Gahr 50-37, powered by Sam Jacobson’s 22 points. Meanwhile, Birmingham edged past Trabuco Hills with a 77-68 win, as Tekeio Phillips, X’zavion McKay, and Wizdom Burnes each scored 17 points.
Mater Dei finally broke a six-game losing streak against JSerra, winning 64-60 to secure a spot in the Division I semifinals against St. John Bosco, who overpowered Chula Vista Victory Christian 78-51.
In girls’ basketball, Birmingham will face Saugus in the Division II semifinals after defeating Cathedral Catholic 77-69. Meanwhile, Francis Parker fell to Oak Park with a score of 46-60.
As spring sports begin to heat up, Birmingham’s baseball team recorded a decisive 10-0 victory over Sylmar, led by Carlos Acuna’s impressive one-hitter. The week also saw strong performances from Chaminade and South Hills in baseball, as they continued to demonstrate their capacities on the field.
In soccer, Mater Dei’s boys team advanced to the Division I regional championship after a close 2-1 win against El Camino Real, while the girls’ soccer team from Santa Margarita defeated Cleveland 3-0, setting up a regional final showdown against Mater Dei.
As the playoffs unfold, teams are eager to capitalize on momentum and secure their paths toward potential championships.
