On an evening honoring JuJu Watkins, perhaps the varsity’s most completed athlete ever, the Sierra Canyon boys’ basketball group did her alma mater proud by holding off Sherman Oaks Notre Dame 78-74 on Friday in a Mission League showdown in Chatsworth.
The sport aired reside on ESPN2 and the host Trailblazers relished the chance to showcase their abilities on a nationwide stage, displaying why they should be ranked among the many greatest within the nation.
Brandon McCoy led the best way with 21 factors, together with a number of dunks, Brannon Martinsen scored 18, North Carolina-bound Maximo Adams had 17 and Jordan Mize added 12 for Sierra Canyon, which trailed 33-28 at halftime.
A 3-pointer by Mize capped a 9-0 run to begin the third quarter.
Ranked No. 1 within the Southland by The Occasions, Sierra Canyon (15-1 total, 2-0 in league) received its tenth consecutive sport since its sole defeat to Forestville (Md.) Bishop McNamara on Dec. 6 on the Capital Metropolis Showcase in Washington, D.C.
NaVorro Bowman Jr. had a game-high 36 factors, together with a desperation heave from half court docket that pulled the Knights (13-6, 0-2) to inside 55-50 coming into the fourth quarter. He had 14 factors within the first quarter, 21 by halftime, and sank six three-pointers. Zachary White added 14 for No. 6 Notre Dame, which was attempting to rebound from a four-point loss to unranked Loyola in its league opener.
JuJu Watkins grew to become the primary Sierra Canyon athlete to have their jersey retired throughout a ceremony at halftime of Friday night time’s Mission League boys’ basketball sport in Chatsworth.
(Steve Galluzzo / For The Occasions)
Watkins’ No. 12 jersey was retired in a shifting ceremony at halftime, making her the primary Trailblazer to be so honored. The 2021-22 women’ basketball California Participant of the 12 months is now a star at USC.
“What makes JuJu particular isn’t what she did however how she did it,” mentioned Sierra Canyon women’ coach Alicia Komaki. “She gave her coronary heart to this place, she left her legacy and it is a reminder of her excellence.”
Mize hopes his jersey will cling from the gymnasium rafters in the future.
“We talked about this being an enormous sport and the way there could be an enormous crowd,” he mentioned. “I knew this was essential for JuJu, so I can’t let her down. We acquired it completed however I feel we’re nonetheless getting higher.”
