Burlison on Basketball

Frank Burlison | High School Basketball | College Basketball

Sierra Canyon, Heritage Christian score forceful wins against good comp

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REDONDO BEACH  – Two San Fernando Valley-based high school boys’ basketball teams scored impressive wins over quality competition Wednesday night during Day III of the Ryse Williams/PAC Shores at Redondo Union High.

Heritage Christian of Northridge improved to 6-0 by knocking off Bishop Montgomery (5-1), 68-56.

And Sierra Canyon of Chatsworth (5-1) cruised past Long Beach Poly (3-2), 74-40.

In an earlier game, St. Monica (7-1) eased past Millikan (3-3), 62-51.

The Mariners will play Mayfair (4-1) at 8:30 Thursday night in Redondo’s main gymnasium in the bracket championship portion of the four-day event.

The other games this week have been individual “showcase” contests.

Junior guard Justice Griffith (pictured), hobbled by knee ailments during much of his sophomore season at Corona Centennial and over the summer and fall, looked fit, quick and strong while scoring a game-high 21 points for St. Monica.

Coach Paul Tait’s Heritage Christian crew was led by it always sturdy and steady duo of senior forwards Tae Simmons and Dillan Shaw.

Simmons (headed for San Diego State) scored 23 points with 11 rebounds while Shaw (who signed with Saint Mary’s) also chipped in with 23 points and six rebounds.

The two used different approaches for their production Wednesday night: Simmons bashed (by my count) six dunks while Shaw drilled seven jumpers (four of those 3s).

Senior guard Denis Woods and sophomore twin forwards Tarron and Terron Williams combined for 48 of the Knights’ points.

Sierra Canyon’s newcomers were all productive and often spectacular in the Trailblazers’ win.

Point guard Gavin Hightower (a two-time, all-CIF SS selection at Windward) directed the attack with 11 points, six assists and three steals.

Senior forward Chris Nwuli (originally from Las Vegas Bishop Gorman by way of a junior season at Wasatch Academy in Utah) came off the bench with 14 points and six rebounds.

And junior forward Maximus Adams (Narbonne as a freshman; Serra last season and St. Bernard for a blink this summer) led the way with 18 points, including two 3s and a near-absurd follow dunk.

Senior Bryce Cofield (a three-year starter) added 10 points and seven rebounds.

Among the games scheduled for Thursday (along with the 8:30 St. Monica-Mayfair clash) are unbeatens Redondo (4-0) and Chaminade (8-0) at 5:30 and Harvard-Westlake (5-0) taking on Bishop Montgomery at 7.

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