LAS VEGAS – During its first six games, the Irvine Crean Lutheran High boys’ basketball squad has shown that it’s not only among the elite teams in Orange County but a contender for one of the eight CIF Southern Section Open Division playoff bids, as well.
But Coach Nate Klitzing’s team will get by far its toughest test of the season Tuesday afternoon at Bishop Gorman High.
The Saints, who rolled past South Jordan (UT) Bingham Monday night, 71-54, in the Orleans Hotel Arena, take on one of the top teams from Texas in the 2:30 championship game of the Gold Division of the Tarkanian Classic.
They face Plano (TX) John Paul II, which trailed by seven points late in the first half but pulled away down the stretch to knock off Fresno San Joaquin Memorial, 77-68.
The Cardinals have a lineup stuffed with high-major college prospects, notably 6-foot-3 junior R.J. Jones (who scored 14 points despite missing about 14 minutes because of foul issues) and 6-8 sophomore Liam McNeely (22 points and 10 rebounds).
In the earlier semifinal, the Saints had a much more comfortable path to the championship game, busting out to a double-figure advantage and never letting the team from Utah crack that 10-plus point deficit after intermission.
Six-six Vyctorius Miller (pictured) – for the third day in a row – continued to use this event to showcase why he’s not only one of Southern California’s top sophomores but one of the nation’s best in the Class of 2024, as well.
Miller scored a season-high 30 points to go with 10 assists while senior Parker Tuttle added 19 points.
In the other divisional semifinals played in the tournament hotel’s arena Monday night, the host Bishop Gorman program and Liberty set the table for an early-season “city championship game” with impressive Platinum victories.
Coach Grant Rice’s Gaels built an early significant advantage and then rebuffed the comeback attempts of another Las Vegas-based program, Durango, for a 71-59 victory that pushed their record to 9-0.
In an offensive effort that metaphorically spelled “balance”, seven players – with sophomore guard Jase Richardson leading the way – scored from eight to 13 points for the Gaels.
In the evening finale, Liberty sped to 6-0 by way of its third consecutive event victory by a double-digit advantage, 79-62 over Oak Cliff (TX) Faith Family.
Six-seven Aaron Price – who, because of a sophomore transfer and the COVID-19 shutdown of Las Vegas sports last season, is playing his first season of varsity competition – came up big with a career-best 17 points with six rebounds for the Patriots.
Three other players – Saint Mary’s College-bound Joshua Jefferson (13 points and eight rebounds), sophomore point guard D.J. Thomas (18 points) and junior jump shooter Angelo Kambala (11 points) – also scored in double figures for the Patriots.
Six-seven junior Jaydn Toppin paced Faith Family Academy with 22 points and eight rebounds.
Bishop Gorman and Liberty wrap up the week-long event (including prep school/academy competition) Tuesday night when the Platinum title game tips at 5:30.
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