Chaminade Puts on a Show for Cameras, 54-40

WEST HILLS —  Motivated by the presence of TV cameras and its largest home crowd of the 1990s, second-ranked Chaminade High began Mission League play Wednesday night by using its size and relentless defensive pressure to overwhelm Notre Dame, 54-40.

The Eagles (12-1) led by 16 points after one quarter, 19 points at halftime and extended their advantage to 23 points in the second half.

“I thought they were awesome,” Notre Dame Coach Rob DiMuro said. “They controlled our guys physically without fouling. They don’t make mistakes and make you pay for every one you make.”

Justin Stewart, a 6-foot-2 senior forward, had 14 points and seven rebounds for Chaminade, and 6-5 Scott Long added 13 points and 13 rebounds.

Stewart’s defensive pressure ignited the Eagles early. He stole the ball twice from Notre Dame freshman point guard Cody Pearson to set the tone of the game.

Stewart, a three-sport athlete, has played center, forward and guard during his four-year varsity basketball career.

“I call myself a utility player now,” he said.

Stewart and point guard Cayce Cook frustrated Notre Dame’s guards all night with their defense. Dante Ward, top scorer for the Knights (7-7) was limited to one basket until scoring eight points during garbage time in the fourth quarter.

This is a powerful Chaminade team, one considered the favorite to topple Harvard-Westlake in Mission play. The Eagles have improved each season under fourth-year Coach Jeff Young, who was an untested 24-year-old when he gave up a Cal Lutheran graduate coaching position to take over the Eagles program in 1994.

“It wasn’t as tough as I thought because the kids have been fantastic,” Young said.

One obstacle has been trying to develop fan enthusiasm within the student body. Chaminade has rarely brought out large crowds--until Wednesday.

With Fox Sports West 2 taping the game for airing today at 4:30, Chaminade students and boosters packed the gymnasium. Even pitcher Jeff Suppan of the Arizona Diamondbacks was in the bleachers.

“Everyone was real nervous, man,” Long said.

Long, who will attend the U.S. Naval Academy, seems much more comfortable this season. He used to think he had to score whenever the ball was in his hands. But his unselfishness is characteristic of a team loaded with top players.

“I realize anyone on our team can have a good night,” Long said. “I don’t have to force it. I let the game come to me. We have tons of great players. It doesn’t matter who scores the most.”

Chaminade patiently took apart Notre Dame’s 2-3 zone defense in the first quarter to open a 20-4 lead. In the second quarter, freshman Scott Borchart contributed six points for a 31-12 advantage.

The 6-7 Borchart finished with 10 points. He missed six free throws, but his solid defense and rebounding was another indication how deep Chaminade is.

“In his freshman year, we knew he’d be good enough to make the varsity team,” Young said. “We didn’t know he’d be as effective. The thing that’s special about him is his maturity.”