Prep basketball roundup: Mission League finalizes tournament plans

It’s time to see which Mission League basketball teams are ready for March Madness in February.

The tournament is scheduled to begin on Thursday after final results on Tuesday clarify the seedings.

The final game of the night saw Crespi earn a 65-61 victory over Loyola when Isaiah Barnes scored on a fall with 15 seconds remaining on the deciding basket. Despite the loss, Loyola claimed fourth place in the standings while finishing in a three-way tie for fourth place with Crespi and St. Francis.

The Cubs, however, are 14-14 and will need a win Saturday against the winner of Thursday’s Bishop Alemany (No. 8) vs. St. Francis (No. 5) game to keep their South Section playoff hopes alive. You need a record of .500 or better to be considered for a spot at large.

Thursday’s other match will pit No. 7 Chaminade against No. 6 Crespi. That winner will play at Harvard-Westlake on Saturday.

Crespi was led by 6-foot-9 Rodney Mukendi, who scored 17 points. Deuce Newt had 15 points for Loyola.

Harvard-Westlake 90, St. Francis 56: Joe Sterling regained his shooting touch, making seven threes and finishing with 27 points. Amir Jones added 17 points for Harvard-Westlake. St. Francis did not play center Cherif Millogo.

Sherman Oaks Notre Dame 81, Mgr Alemany 48: The Knights earned second place in the Mission League and an automatic berth to the South Section playoffs. Zach White had 26 points and 10 rebounds. Notre Dame played without NaVorro Bowman.

Sierra Canyon 79, Chaminade 28: Brandon McCoy had 18 points and Maxi Adams added 17 points for the Mission League regular season champions.

Créan Lutheran 76, La Habra 67: The Saints took first place in the Crestview League.

Mira Costa 53, Peninsula 41: Logan Dugdale has 17 points and 10 rebounds for Mira Costa (23-4).