Boys’ basketball: Chaminade hands Loyola its first defeat

After losing by 20 points to Loyola in its fourth game of the season, West Hills Chaminade showed how much it has improved, opening a 27-point margin through three quarters and finishing with a 73-61 road victory over the previously unbeaten Cubs in a Mission League game on Friday night.

Loyola had been 14-0 and owned an 80-60 victory over Chaminade in a tournament final the opening week of the season in early December. But the Eagles (13-1) came out with matchup zone defense that saw 6-foot-10 Trevor Stanback and 6-8 Jack Williams pull down rebound after rebound following many missed Cub shots.

Williams, a Long Beach State signee who thrives in big games, helped neutralize 7-footer Thomas Welsh at both ends of the court. He finished with 21 points and 12 rebounds. Stanback had 12 points and 13 rebounds. Chaminade led by 27 points through three quarters.

“All week, we worked on defense, defense, defense,” Williams said. “An hour and half practice. It’s hard playing that long, but it pays off in the game.”

Chaminade also received huge games from a pair of transfer students. Michael Oguine, who was a top guard as a sophomore at Reseda Cleveland, had 20 points. Sammy Linn, a transfer from Long Beach St. Anthony, had 11 points off the bench.

It was the first time in five years that Coach Todd Wolfson picked up a victory over Loyola. He was 0-11.

“I just think the biggest difference was the first time we played them was the fourth game of the year,” Williams said. “We weren’t quite there yet, but ever since we’ve been rolling.”

Parker Jackson-Cartwright had 24 points for Loyola. Welsh had 14 points, but eight came in the fourth quarter when the game had been already decided.

The victory could become very important come February, when the Southern Section is picking teams for its new Open Division playoff division. A win over Loyola puts the Eagles on course to be plucked out of 3A and placed in the Open Division.

In another Mission League upset, Alemany defeated Encino Crespi, 65-61. Gary Chivichyan had 16 points for Alemany, which rallied from a 21-point deficit. Kevin Summers had 10 points and 15 rebounds. Shacquille Dawkins had 14 points and Brandon Boyd 12.

Alex Copeland scored eight consecutive points and finished with 21 points to rally Harvard-Westlake past Notre Dame, 71-66. Luca Ferrari scored 28 points for Notre Dame.

eric.sondheimer@latimes.com

Eric.sondheimer@latimes.com