Frank Burlison

NEWPORT BEACH – A couple of shots as the game clock was winding down secured victories for Windward and the host Pacific Christian Tritons Saturday evening during the first BSN Sports Boys Basketball Showcase.

In the opening contest of the four-game event, Bakersfield Christian overcame a wobbly start to topple Scottsdale (AZ) Rancho Solano Prep, 59-48, as junior guard Leviticus Latu and senior forward Ben Yurosek (Stanford-bound as a tight end) scored 17 and 16 points, respectively.

In the second game, Heritage Christian (16-2) found little resistance while easing its way past Fresno Roosevelt, 72-50, as sophomores Skyy Clark (27) and Max Allen (18) combined for 45 of its points.

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MISSION VIEJO – Three years ago, the Capistrano Valley High Cougars of Coach Brian Mulligan won the CIF Southern Section’s 2A championship while finishing their season at 25-7.

Friday night, the 2019-20 version of the Cougars rolled past visiting San Clemente, 75-53, to improve to 2-0 in the South Coast League and 17-1 overall.

It wouldn’t be startling if the Cougars take a, say, 25-3 record into the 2AA playoffs, with eight more league games and non-league contests remaining with Washington Prep and St. Augustine – upper-tier teams in the L.A.

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LA VERNE – The eight-game, Southern California Boys Basketball Shootout tips off at Damien High at 10 o’clock, Saturday morning.

The host Spartans, who face La Mirada in the event’s 8:30 p.m. finale, have one of the most prolific scorers in the west’s Class of 2021 in Malik Thomas (pictured).

Complete schedule: 10 a.m., Ontario Christian vs. Charter Oak; 11:30, Walnut vs. Crean Lutheran; 1 p.m., Mark Keppel vs. Covina; 2:30, Servite vs. Glendora; 4, Oak Park vs. Troy; 5:30, Valencia vs. Leuzinger; 7, San Gabriel Academy vs.

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PASADENA – A rematch between the top boys’ basketball teams in Southern California headlines the five-game (but two-session) Elite Invitational Showcase at Pasadena City College Saturday.

Rancho Christian edged Sierra Canyon in overtime, 85-81, when they met on Dec. 30 for the Platinum Division Championship of the fourth annual Classic at Damien. Rancho Christian guard Dominick Harris (pictured) led the scoring with 30 points.

Another program expected join the aforementioned Eagles and Trailblazers in the CIF Southern Section Open Division playoffs, Etiwanda, faces Renaissance Academy in the opening game Saturday at 12:30 in the afternoon.

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NEWPORT BEACH – Pacifica Christian High will play host to the four-game, BSN Sports Showcase boys’ basketball event Saturday.

Action gets underway at 3:30 in the afternoon with Bakersfield Christian taking on Scottsdale Rancho Solano.

Four players who have signed with, or committed to, NCAA Division I-affiliated programs are scheduled to participate: forwards Judah Brown (PICTURED/Pacifica Christian/Saint Mary’s); Devin Tillis (Windward/UNLV); Hunter Ruck (Rancho Solano/UC Irvine); and guard Donavan Yap (Las Vegas Arbor View/UNLV).

Two of the eight teams in the event, Windward and Heritage Christian, are strong candidates to be selected to play in the CIF Southern Section’s eight-team Open Division playoff field.

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