Joe Sterling’s clutch free throws seal Harvard-Westlake victory
When it’s Harvey Kitani versus David Rebibo in a high school basketball coaching game, you know it’s going to be a defensive task. They demand defensive production, so Rolling Hills Prep and Harvard-Westlake went for it for 32 minutes Saturday night at St. Francis.
It took four straight free throws from Joe Sterling in the final 21 seconds for Harvard-Westlake (17-2) to maintain its 50-46 victory. The only mistake Rolling Hills Prep (13-5) made was choosing to foul Sterling, well known as a free-throw shooter. But the Huskies had no choice after a three by Aaron Heinze brought them within 48-46 with 2.6 seconds left.
Sterling finished with 16 points. Pierce Thompson had 14 points and Dominique Bentho added 11 points and 12 rebounds. Nick Welch Jr. had a big game for Rolling Hills Prep with 21 points on eight of 14 shooting. Carter Fulton added 10 points.
Santa Margarita 72, Fairfax 41: The Eagles (19-2) opened a 21-2 lead after the first quarter and cruised to the victory at St. Francis. Brayden Kyman scored 21 points, Kaiden Bailey 17 and Drew Anderson 15.
Saint Francis 78, Servite 66: The Golden Knights (16-2) won their 14th straight game. Cherif Millogo, the 7-foot-4 junior center, delivered 34 points, 23 rebounds and five blocks. Will O’Connor made four threes. Freshman Tariq Johnson had 24 points for Servite.
Saint Pius X-St. Matthias 67 years old, JSerra 62: Kayleb Kearse finished with 27 points in the victory. Jaden Bailes had 30 points for JSerra.
Sierra Canyon 77, Phoenix St. Mary’s 45: The Trailblazers (13-1) prepared for the start of Mission League play with a rout in Arizona. Brandon McCoy scored 18 points and Brannon Martinsen 17.
Brentwood 77, Saint-Bernard 73: The Eagles (18-1) won in overtime. Ethan Hill contributed 31 points and 15 rebounds. Auggie Sugarman had 24 points.
Chaminade 70, Palos Verdes 44: Temi Olafisoye had 17 points for the 18-1 Eagles.
Thousand Oaks 53, Oak Park 46: The Lancers won their 16th straight game to remain undefeated. Gabriel Chin had 14 points.
Sherman Oaks Notre Dame 67, Layton Christian (Utah) 64: NaVorro Bowman led the Knights (13-4) with 24 points. Josiah Nance added 16 points.
Mgr Montgomery 71, Palisades 68: Austin Kirksey had 24 points and Tarron Williams scored 22 points to help Bishop Montgomery improve to 15-2. Freshman Phillip Reed scored 24 points for Palisades.
Crespi 60 years old, Modesto Christian 49 years old: The Celts improved to 13-6.
Saint-Jean Bosco 62, Chandler (Arizona) Basha 54: Christian Collins scored 31 points and Max Ellis had 22 for the Braves in a win at Arizona.
Mayfair 69, Cypress 56: Josiah Johnson’s 27 points helped Mayfair improve to 8-5.
Inglewood 98, Pasadena 97: Jason Crowe Jr. hit the game-winning shot in overtime and finished with 51 points for Inglewood.
Girls basketball
Harvard-Westlake 51, Phoenix Desert Vista 39: Freshman Lucia Khamenia finished with 24 points for Harvard-Westlake.
Brentwood 59, Cardinal Newman 53: The Eagles improved to 9-4. Kelsey Sugar scored 24 points.
Saugus 57, Birmingham 52: Kayla Tanijiri had 16 points for Birmingham (13-3).
Windward 62, Christian Village 54: Charis Rainey had 25 points and Shiloh Johnson added 13 points and 14 rebounds for Windward.
