CIF Southern Section Open Division basketball playoffs: Harvard-Westlake, Sierra Canyon win openers (2/9/2024)
STUDIO CITY - The CIF Southern Section Open Division boys basketball playoffs began Friday night.
Harvard-Westlake looked like the defending CIF State Open Division champions with a 61-51 wire-to-wire victory over Corona Centennial thanks to Nik Khamenia and Trent Perry's 15 points apiece. Christian Horry added 12 points on all 3-pointers.
Centennial's Carter Bryant was held to 12 points and Eric Freeny had just seven points, but sat most the fourth quarter with an injury.
The Wolverines will play Sierra Canyon at home Tuesday night in the second round of games in Pool A - both teams will be 1-0.
Sierra Canyon defeated St. John Bosco 72-67 led by Noah Williams' 23 points, but Arkansas commit Isaiah Elohim was ejected from the game for throwing a punch during a scuffle. He'll have to sit out Tuesday's game as a consequence.
In Pool B, St. Pius defeated Mater Dei 76-54 on the road in a surprising result. Tyron Riley had 28 points and David Mack added 15. Brandon Benjamin had 11 points for the Monarchs.
Mater Dei will be without standout sophomore Brannon Martinsen (foot) for the remainder of the season.
No. 2-seeded Eastvale Roosevelt defeated JSerra 64-51 led by Brayden Burries' 17 points and Issac Williamson's 16. Darnez Slater added 14.
OPEN DIVISION STANDINGS
POOL A
- 1. Harvard-Westlake (1-0)
- 4. St. John Bosco (0-1)
- 5. Sierra Canyon (1-0)
- 8. Corona Centennial (0-1)
POOL B
- 2. Eastvale Roosevelt (1-0)
- 3. Mater Dei (0-1)
- 6. St. Pius (1-0)
- 7. JSerra (0-1)
OPEN DIVISION SCHEDULE
Feb. 13
- Sierra Canyon at Harvard-Westlake
- Centennial at St. John Bosco
- St. Pius at Roosevelt
- JSerra at Mater Dei
Feb. 16
- St. John Bosco at Harvard-Westlake
- Centennial at Sierra Canyon
- Mater Dei at Roosevelt
- JSerra at St. Pius
