REDONDO BEACH, Ca. – The host Redondo Union Sea Hawks, along with Oakland Bishop O’Dowd and Torrance Bishop Montgomery, were the winners Friday night during the opening of the two-day, fifth annual Take Flight Challenge.
The event wraps up on Saturday, with six games that begin at noon (Compton vs. L.A. Windward) and wrap up with an 8 p.m. clash between two of the strongest squads in the CIF Southern Section, Santa Margarita and Eastvale Roosevelt.
Friday evening the squad from Oakland broke out to an big early lead as junior guard Naseem Gaskin hit all five of his first-quarter shots – the first four of those coming from the arc – against the Lynwood Knights.
But the Dragons struggled much of the way in defensive transition and fell behind by four points early in the fourth quarter before pulling away down the stretch for a 70-59 victory.
Gaskin finished with a game-high 27 points while his junior backcourt mate, Elijah Hardy, added 21 and eight assists.
Sophomore guard Oscar Lopez led Lynwood with 19 points.
In the second game the host Sea Hawks led throughout although Camarillo was within three points at intermission.
But Redondo had too much depth and too many ways to score and finished in front, 72-55.
Eight Sea Hawks scored from six to 16 points, with Loyola Marymount-bound guard Ryse Williams leading the way.
Sophomore forward Jaime Jaquez led Camarillo with 21 points and 10 rebounds.
In the finale Bishop Montgomery jumped Santa Monica from the opening tip and cruised to an eased-up, 73-53 win.
Four Knights scored in double figures, with San Diego State-bound Jordan Schakel leading the way with 15 points to go with 13 rebounds.
Junior forward De’sean Allen-Eikens scored 12 points for Santa Monica.
Saturday’s complete schedule: Noon, Compton vs. L.A. Windward; 1:30, Villa Park vs. L.A. Brentwood; 3, L.A. Loyola vs. Lawndale Leuzinger; 5, Northridge Heritage Christian vs. Birmingham; 6:30, Redondo vs. Hacienda Heights Los Altos; 8, Santa Margarita vs. Roosevelt.
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