Pierce Thompson delivers key baskets to send Harvard-Westlake to regional final
Down 16 points in the first quarter, down six points in the fourth quarter, Harvard-Westlake is a high school basketball team that thrives on adversity.
Answering the call was junior goalkeeper Pierce Thompson, who made three straight shots with just over five minutes left to tie the score. Next came two free throws each from Joe Sterling with 28.9 seconds left and Cole Holden with 10.8 seconds left, helping Harvard-Westlake defeat Santa Maria St. Joseph 56-52 in the Southern California Open Division regional semifinals Saturday night in Studio City.
Harvard-Westake (27-6) advances to face top-seeded Sierra Canyon (28-1) for the third time Tuesday night at Sierra Canyon with a trip to the state championship game in Sacramento on the line. Sierra Canyon beat Santa Margarita 72-60 behind 23 points and 10 rebounds from Brandon McCoy.
Thompson’s intervention in the fourth quarter was exactly what the Wolverines needed. St. Joseph (31-3) took advantage of turnovers and fouls to open a 48-42 lead until Thompson changed the momentum and the game.
Pierce Thompson (left) receives congratulations from Miles Dodson after Harvard-Westlake’s 56-52 victory over St. Joseph.
(Craig Weston)
“I feel like when I see one come in, the next one comes in as well,” Thompson said. “I feel like this year I had to step out of my comfort zone and have the confidence to step up and make shots.”
Thompson finished with 15 points. Sterling had 18 points.
Early on, the Wolverines trailed 19-3 as brothers Malcom and St. Joseph’s Julius Price made open shots. Malcolm finished with 20 points and Julius 12.
Then Harvard-Westlake came back into the game with a 10-0 lead at the end of the first quarter and led at halftime 31-27. Two of St. Joseph’s big men fouled out in the fourth quarter.
St. Joseph threw a cold shot in the final three minutes of the fourth quarter, and Harvard-Westlake was able to celebrate.
Remember, the Wolverines entered the Southern Section Open Division playoffs last month as an afterthought after losing three of the final four regular-season games. Then came regroupings and new opportunities.
“We take it personally,” Thompson said of people who trashed the Wolverines. “We work every day.”
Saint John Bosco 75, Mater Dei 71: The Braves eliminated the Division 1 semifinal in overtime behind Christian Collins, who scored 32 points. The Braves will host Damien, who beat Crean Lutheran 49-44. Elijah Smith scored 18 points for the Spartans. St. John Bosco coach Matt Dunn won a state coaching title at Damien.
Palisades 81, Torrey Pines 67: The City Section Open Division champion Dolphins advanced to the Division II regional final against Bakersfield Christian. EJ Popoola had 25 points and seven rebounds while his brother OJ scored 21 points.
Birmingham 82, Poway 69: The surprising Patriots reached the Division III regional final as Tekeio Phillips finished with 30 points and X’zavion McKay finished with 23 points.
Sylmar 102, Canyon Country Canyon 94: During the season, coach Bort Escoto changed his team’s offense, switching to the run-and-gun style implemented by Paul Westhead years ago at Loyola Marymount and now the Spartans are in the Division V regional final. Rob Winn scored 34 points, Aiden Garcia 27 and Andrew Galvez 17.
