Crespi, Redondo with wins vs. non-CIF SS foes Saturday

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NEWPORT BEACH – Two CIF Southern Section programs, a couple of Las Vegas-based squads, two teams from Bakersfield and one of the traditional Northern California-based powers set the table for the BSN Sports Showcase’s three games at Pacifica Christian High Saturday.

Crespi, in its final pre-Mission League tuneup, pulled away in the third quarter and knocked off Modesto Christian, 60-49, in the event’s final game.

Six players scored from five to 12 points for the Celts (13-6), juniors Isaiah Barnes and Rodney Mukendi leading the way.

Barnes (pictured/courtesy Crespi High) – an all-Platinum Division selection at the Classic at Damien last week – helped his squad stay in front in the fourth quarter, with a 3-pointer, two blocked shots, two rebounds and a layup.

Coach Derek Fisher’s team, which lost to another Classic at Damien Platinum team, La Mirada (68-57), Friday in the Real Run Showcase at Morningside High, opens Mission play Wednesday night at Alemany before playing host to Harvard-Westlake Friday.

Junior guard Siincere Hudson (a transfer from Sacramento Inderkum who became eligible on Dec. 26) led the 7-4 Crusaders with 22 points, 13 of those in the first quarter.

Redondo Union (16-3) wrapped up its “showcase weekend” 2-zip following its loss to Phoenix Sunnyslope in Tuesday night’s championship game in the Platinum Division of the Classic at Damien.

Junior forward Chris Sanders (an all-Platinum Division selection at both the Tarkanian Classic and Classic at Damien) led the way in the Sea Hawks’ 76-41 win over Bakersfield Christian, hitting 11 of 14 shots while scoring 23 points with 13 rebounds and three assists.

But Reggie Morris Jr. went deep and often into his bench, with four sophomores getting extensive on-court action  and reserve senior forward Zach Khatib scoring 16 points – all over the first three quarters.

Guard Chace Holley – among the top handful of “best non-signed/still uncommitted” seniors in the west – scored 41points in the Sea Hawks’ 89-54, Real Run Winter Classic win over Santa Barbara Friday.

The Sea Hawks are back in the Bay League (where they opened with a win at Peninsula on Dec. 17) Tuesday at home against Wiseburn-Da Vinci.

Bakersfield Christian won the consolation championship in the Classic’s Gold Division, with wins over Rancho Christian, Fresno San Joaquin Memorial and Mayfair following its opening loss to Loyola.

The Eagles (7-8) were playing without a key player Saturday as 6-foot-5 Jeremias Killebrew was in a walking boot and on crutches because of a strained lower right calf suffered late in the Dec. 30 win over Mayfair.

According to Coach Garrett Brown, Kellebrew is expected to be back in action in two weeks.

Another junior, 6-8, left-handed Taiwo Daramola, led the Eagles with 14 points, eight rebounds and two blocked shots.

In the first game played Saturday, slender, 6-4, left-handed sophomore Aaron McMorran scored 24 points (including five 3s) with six rebounds and three assists as Las Vegas Desert Pines improved to 11-5 by knocking off Bakersfield South, 67-51.

Six-six senior Chase Robertson (transfer from Branson in Northern California) added 12 points for the Jaguars while seniors Cliff Willis and Gavin Christian scored 19 and 16 points, respectively, for the 12-6 Spartans.