REDONDO BEACH – The Redondo Union High boys’ basketball spotted its Mira Costa counterpart a 10-point advantage in the first quarter Tuesday night in their Ocean League game.
But the host Sea Hawks – with two freshmen starters playing significant roles – stabilized things by intermission and used a 14-point edge in the third quarter to come away with a 60-45 victory.
Six-foot-five sophomore S.J. Madison (pictured/photo courtesy of Greg Stein) led Redondo (17-4 overall and 5-0 in league) with a game-high 20 points – 16 of those coming off intermission, including three 3s.
Six-five junior Hudson Mayes – who continues to recover nicely from the torn ACL he suffered a year ago at about this time – added 15 points and seven rebounds for the Sea Hawks (No. 14 in the BurlisonOnBasketball SoCal Top 30).
As for the freshmen . . .
Six-four Chris Sanders – who, for the “old-timers” among you, reminds me of 1982 L.A. City Player of the Year and McDonald’s All-American Eldridge Hudson of Carson when he was a freshman – scored nine points and grabbed six rebounds. The left hander is a whirlwind of energy.
But, with senior point guard Devin Ringer sidelined with a sore ankle (he’s due to be back in action Friday night at home against Palos Verdes), a second freshman was in the starting lineup.
And Joey Albala was the “X factor” for the Sea Hawks – even at 5-3.
What he lacks in size is more than compensated for via his skill with the ball in his hands, his savvy, and his fortitude.
Even while often being the shortest player on the court by at least a foot and seeing a multiple half-court and full-court defensive looks from the Mustangs, Albala ran his team’s half-court offensive calmly and effectively, committing just one turnover with five assists.
And his only bucket – a 3-pointer with a little more than six minutes to go – gave his team its’ first 15-point advantage.
Mira Costa (14-7 and 3-2), No. 22 in the BurlisonOnBasketball Top 30, got 16 points from 6-4 junior Jacob DeArmas and 13 (including four 3s) from 6-2 senior James Reach.
The teams have their rematch, at Mira Costa, on Feb. 1.
But each has a game to play with Culver City (13-6 and 4-1), Mira Costa playing host to the Centaurs Friday night and the Sea Hawks visiting Culver City next Tuesday.
The results of each of those games will also impact the league race.
In a battle of girls’ teams unbeaten in the Ocean League played earlier Tuesday night at Redondo Union, the Zimmerman sisters led the Sea Hawks to a 56-40 victory.
Six-four Ella Zimmerman (who signed with the University of Portland in November) led the way with 27 points, 14 rebounds, four blocked shots and two assists to help her team improve to 17-4 and 5-0, respectively.
Her 6-1 sophomore sister Abby – also an elite volleyball player – added seven points, six rebounds and four assists.
Senior Juju O’Brien (a standout softball player bound for Columbia University) led the Mustangs – 19-3 and 4-1 – with 22 points and six rebounds.
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