Bishop Amat’s young players lead way to Division 2 basketball title
There is a new team with a lot of quality young players that can bring excitement to high school basketball.
Bishop Amat (28-5), led by sophomore Aiden Shaw and freshman Omar Cox-Labomme, put together a near-perfect performance Saturday at Toyota Arena in a 71-48 victory over Hesperia to win the Southern Section Division 2 championship for coach Brandon Ertle, the team’s first title since 2002.
Shaw made nine of 11 shots, had four assists, three blocks and five steals while finishing with 20 points. Cox-Labomme made three three-pointers and had 16 points. For players aged 16 and 15 respectively, playing with composure and confidence on such a big stage bodes well for a bright future.
“They didn’t look like freshmen and sophomores since the first game of the season,” Ertle said. “Not nervous or scared by the moment. I think they’re very good players.”
The Lancers also did a good job containing Hesperia’s 6-foot-7 Nolan Newman-Gomez, who finished with 17 points.
Créan Lutheran 59, JSerra 52: Nick Giarrusso, hair flowing and fist pumping, hit a three-pointer with 49 seconds left to break a 52-52 tie and scored the final seven points of the Division 1 final to lift Crean Lutheran to victory. He finished with 14 points, going four of four from the field, two of two from three and four of four on free throws.
“Big shot, big free throws at the end,” Crean Lutheran coach Austin Loeb said.
“I believe he is a Division 1 player because he always plays the right game,” JSerra coach Keith Wilkinson said of Giarrusso.
Chadrack Mpoyi and Jacob Majok have each contributed significantly to Crean Lutheran. Mpoyi had 14 points. Hunter Caplan made three threes and had 13 points.
Crean Lutheran’s Chadrack Mpoyi dunks against JSerra.
(Steve Galluzzo)
Earl Bryson scored 21 points for JSerra, which trailed by 13 in the second quarter until a 10-0 lead allowed the Lions to close to 26-23 at halftime.
Murrieta Mesa 65 years old, Aliso Niguel 58 years old: Jagger Saul scored 18 points to help Murrieta Mesa win the Southern Section Division 3 title. Jayden Mysin had 18 points for Aliso Niguel.
Verdugo Hills 62, RFK 40: The Dons won the City Section Division III championship. Alex Kasumyan scored 13 points and Jordan Vargas added 12.
Rialto 59, Salesian 31: Lionel Madrid scored 16 points and Wayne Johnson 14 points for Rialto in the Division 7 final.
Colton 55, San Bernardino Pacific 42: Andres Elenes scored 23 points for Colton in the Division 9 final.
Basketball for girls
Sierra Vista 52, Desert Hot Springs 42: Cailei Buna finished with 19 points, making nine of 10 free throws, in the Southern Section Division 9 final.
Bishop Diego 42, Burbank Burroughs 41: Eden Wynne finished with 16 points for Bishop Diego in the Division 5 final. Burroughs had a chance to tie it in the final second but a free throw was missed.
