RIVERSIDE, CA – The way defending CIF Open Division state champion Sierra Canyon-Chatsworth broke from the gate in its CIF Southern Section Open Division match-up with Bishop Montgomery-Torrance, on the surface it looked like it could be a rout.
However, after the top-seeded Trailblazers went out to a 10-0, 14-3 and 17-5 first quarter leads, the multi-talented Trailblazers got all they could handle from the No. 8 seed before they held of the Knights, 64-57, before 2,000 fans in the nightcap of the four-game Open and Division I boys and girls CIFSS championships at Cal Baptist University.
Sierra Canyon, which improved to 28-3 with only one in-state loss to Rancho Christian-Temecula, won its first CIFSS open title. In last year’s final, the Trailblazers were bested by Mater Dei-Santa Ana, but rebounded in the regional and did not lose again.
Leading the way to victory against Bishop Montgomery was the state’s top uncommitted senior prospect Cassius Stanley. The 6-5 shooting guard scored a game-high 29 points with five rebounds and two blocks.
Stanley made 10-of-16 shots from the field and 3-of-6 on 3-pointers. The biggest of his treys came at the third quarter buzzer, as Bishop Montgomery (24-6) was gaining momentum. He floated down the right side after both teams traded baskets and dropped in a shot from well beyond NBA-rage and with a hand in his face to give Sierra Canyon a 48-42 lead going into the fourth period. From there the lead never changed, as Sierra Canyon led all 32 minutes and out-rebounded Bishop Montgomery, 35-25 to boot.
Sierra Canyon also got 12 points from Scottie Pippin Jr.
Bishop Montgomery (24-6) got to 56-52 with 2:28 remaining in the game, but could get no closer. Montana-bound Josh Vazquez made 7-of-15 field goals, including 5-of-8 on 3-pointers, to finish with 19 points, but only took three field goal attempts in the final period.
Nick Schrader added 14 points for Bishop Montgomery but in the end the Knights just could not get over the hump.
On Sunday, and as expected, Sierra Canyon was made the top seed by the CIF for the Southern Regional Open Division. They will open defense of their CIF SoCal and state Open Division titles on Wednesday at home against No. 8 seed Torrey Pines-San Diego. Torrey Pines (25-6) was the No. 3 seed in the CIF San Diego Section but came away in the title game with a 51-47 victory over Foothills Christian-El Cajon.
“It’s always great to win and it feels great to have one of my best games, but winning is all that matters,” Stanley told Ronnie Flores of Ballislife and Cal-Hi Sports. “Now we get back in the lab and get ready to win state.”
Bishop Montgomery drew the No. 3 seed as expected behind Los Angeles City Section champion Fairfax. The Knights open at home on Wednesday against Mater Dei-Santa Ana in a boys and girls doubleheader at El Camino College in Torrance.
