Corona Centennial dominates Sierra Canyon to win Open Division boys’ basketball title

Ramsey Huff, probably the most unsung participant on a Corona Centennial workforce that has regarded unbeatable over the past month, began Tuesday’s Southern California Open Division regional remaining in opposition to Chatsworth Sierra Canyon with a three-pointer. Earlier than the half ended, he had made 4 threes and drove previous two McDonald’s All-Individuals, Amari Bailey and Kijani Wright, for a layup as UCLA coach Mick Cronin regarded on from the baseline most likely questioning, “Who’s that man?”

“He’s been completely wonderful all 12 months,” Centennial coach Josh Giles stated of the 6-foot-1 senior guard. “You may make the argument he’s been our most beneficial participant at instances.”

Sierra Canyon left him open method too many instances, and Huff made the Trailblazers pay. He completed with 20 factors and all 5 starters reached double figures in Centennial’s 83-59 victory to earn the Huskies a visit to Saturday’s state championship recreation at Golden 1 Middle in Sacramento.

For the final month, Centennial (32-1) has been unstoppable. No opponent has come nearer than 20 factors.

“That is simply an unbelievable group,” Giles stated. “Every part about them — they’re a coach’s dream.”

The rationale Huff could be neglected is that Centennial already has the perfect guard duo in Donovan Dent and Jared McCain.

Dent was creating his traditional issues along with his skill to penetrate into the important thing or dish to a teammate. His lob to Aaron McBride, leading to a dunk, gave the Huskies a 32-20 lead midway by way of the second quarter.

And it was 38-24 at halftime after Huff’s layup.

Devin Williams completed with 19 factors, Dent 18, McBride 13 and McCain 10.

Sierra Canyon (26-5) acquired 15 factors from Bailey in his remaining highschool recreation. Isaiah Elohim added 14 factors.

Dent performed the entire recreation although he injured his knee throughout their playoff win in opposition to Studio Metropolis Harvard-Westlake.

“He performed unimaginable,” Giles stated.

The pregame festivities included a protracted line of followers outdoors Centennial’s fitness center gathering 90 minutes earlier than tipoff; a DJ taking part in music so loud that earplugs ought to have been offered; the daddy of Centennial’s Williams taking part in a dance contest in his crimson sweats, and other people complaining the fitness center was so chilly they need to have introduced a jacket.

The sport began with Centennial making three consecutive threes, two by Huff, for a 9-0 lead. Sierra Canyon by no means bought nearer than 13 factors within the second half.

Centennial has by no means gained a state title and can play Modesto Christian on Saturday at 8p.m.

In Division I ladies, Los Angeles Windward defeated Backyard Grove Orangewood Academy 61-58. Freshman Samari Bankhead scored 16 factors for Windward.

In Division I boys, La Verne Damien defeated Irvine Crean Lutheran 58-53. Kaleb Smith scored 16 factors, and Spivey Phrase and RJ Smith added 14 factors apiece.

In Division II boys, Santa Ana Foothill defeated Hacienda Heights Los Altos 46-41.

In Division III boys, Venice defeated Calabasas Viewpoint 62-55. Devyn Johnson scored 24 factors and Tyler Hunt 22.

It’s the primary journey to the state championships for Foothill and Venice.