Chaminade Finds Hero in Stewart

STUDIO CITY —  Justin Stewart better be careful. More fourth quarters like the one the Chaminade senior had against Harvard-Westlake on Friday night and he won’t be Coach Jeff Young’s unsung hero anymore.

He’ll be too well known.

Freshman Scott Borchart scored 23 points as the Eagles blew a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter but recovered to defeat Harvard-Westlake, 71-64. But it was Stewart who saved Chaminade’s undefeated Mission League season at Harvard-Westlake.

The Wolverines were on a 13-2 run and had just taken a lead for the first time since the first quarter at 55-54 with five minutes left.

Harvard-Westlake guard Russell Lakey was on his way for a breakaway layup. Stewart, the only Eagle downcourt, blocked the shot, then rebounded a follow by Alex Holmes. The 240-pound Holmes then bowled over Stewart for his fifth foul.

The play restored order for the Eagles. Harvard-Westlake was held scoreless for the next two minutes.

“We just had get focused again and I was the one who stepped up,” Stewart said.

Stewart had five of his nine rebounds in the final quarter and sank two free throws in the final 30 seconds to help preserve the victory for Chaminade (21-1, 10-0), the top-ranked team in The Times’ regional poll.

“He’s a winner, isn’t he?” Young said. “He’s done this so many times.”

The Eagles were also bolstered with the return of Borchart, who limped off the court late in the third quarter with a twisted ankle.

The Wolverines (17-7, 5-5) had been searching all game for another offensive option besides Lakey. The sophomore guard scored 27 points, including four three-pointers, and kept Harvard-Westlake within striking distance.

Finally, Alex Minn came through. Minn, who didn’t score in the first three quarters, had 12 in the fourth, including three three-point shots.

The final one came with two minutes left, tying the score at 63-63, and sending the Wolverines into a frenzy.

After Scott Long sank two free throws, Minn had another chance, but his three-point attempt was rushed and Long made two more foul shots.

Lakey and John Karavas each tried--and missed--two desperation perimeter shots.

“We had things going for a while,” Harvard-Westlake Coach Greg Hilliard said. “I just wish we had made some of those shots in the first half.”

Chaminade survived despite a second consecutive subpar game by Long. Long, who averages just under 15 points a game, was one for eight from the field and finished with eight points.

Cayce Cook scored 14 points and backup point guard Robby Tanouye added 10 for Chaminade, which can clinch the outright title with a victory over second-place Loyola on Wednesday.