La Verne Lutheran topples La Cañada, 57-47, to reach state final
La Verne Lutheran, one of the last teams to be given an at-large berth into the state basketball playoffs, earned a trip to Sacramento to play for the state Division III championship by defeating top-seeded La Cañada, 57-47, in the Southern California Regional final Saturday behind the tallest player on the court, 6-foot-9 Grant Jerrett.
Jerrett, who has committed to Arizona, made nine of 13 shots and finished with 22 points and eight rebounds to end La Cañada’s run of trying to win a state title with a neighborhood team that brought out a large crowd of Spartans supporters to the Galen Center.
Photos: La Verne Lutheran vs. La Cañada
“I hope our run inspires others,” Coach Tom Hofman said. “We brought a whole community to their feet.”
La Cañada (30-4) held a 25-22 halftime lead, but Lutheran (26-5) came out with a box-and-one defense to stop Mike McGlashan, who had 12 points in the first half. With Bruce English getting the defensive assignment, McGlashan disappeared from La Cañada’s offense in the third quarter. He finished with 19 points.
“I think they did a really good job staying with me,” McGlashan said. “They were physical.”
Mater Dei claims boys’ Division I championship
Lutheran won the state Division V championship last season but suffered from injury and illness issues during the regular season. After being eliminated by Los Angeles Price in the Southern Section 3AA playoffs, the Trojans were given an at-large state berth and knocked off highly regarded Orange Lutheran and North Hollywood Harvard-Westlake on their way to the final.
“This is the team we set out to be in the first place,” Coach Eric Cooper said.
The Division III final against Oakland Bishop O’Dowd on March 26 will feature two of the best junior big men in the state in Jerrett and 6-9 Brandon Ashley of Bishop O’Dowd.
Fontana Summit 74, San Diego Lincoln 69 — A 14-1 blitz in the fourth quarter, including four consecutive baskets from guard Montigo Alford, propelled Summit (28-7) to the upset over Lincoln (31-2) in the Division II final at Galen Center.
Lincoln was the defending state champion. UCLA-bound Norman Powell was onefor 10 from three-point range and finished with 21 points for Lincoln.
“This is pretty special,” Coach Steve Hickey said.
The Skyhawks are in only their fifth year as a varsity program. They lost in overtime to Mission Viejo in the Southern Section 2AA semifinals.
Alford scored 18 points, Darrick Arnold had 14 and Devon Alexander and Cameron Lewis each had 12. Summit will play San Jose Mitty in Friday’s Division II state final.
—Eric Sondheimer
Playa del Rey St. Bernard 61, Chatsworth Sierra Canyon 59 — Thurman Thomas’ put-back basket at the buzzer won it for the Vikings in the Division V final at Colony High in Ontario.
Daniel Cordoba scored 13 points and Brandon Randolph and Emani Grant each had nine for St. Bernard (26-8), which outscored Sierra Canyon, 18-11, in the fourth quarter.
Girls basketball roundup: Mater Dei girls team wins second straight regional title
The Vikings will play Alameda St. Joseph Notre Dame for the state championship Friday in Sacramento.
Michael Cohen scored 15 points, Brian Alberts and Marsalis Johnson each had 11 and Daniel Cohen had 10 for the Trailblazers (27-6).
—Steve Galluzzo
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