January 14, 2016 Page 5 Lawndale, Leuzinger Record Easy Serra Classic Victories Lawndale High’s Chrkavadi Alupuonlu goes up for a basket in last Saturday’s Serra High Cavalier Classic against Centennial. The Cardinals defeated the Apaches 75-52. who worked with one of Southern California’s most highly regarded prep boys’ basketball coaches in Reggie Morris, Jr. at Leuzinger, Playa del Rey St. Bernard and Redondo over the past 10 years, the Olympians struggled through the first few games of the season but are putting things together. The Olympians improved their record to 9-6 after humiliating King-Drew Medical Magnet High from Willowbrook 70-26 in the Serra Cavalier Extravaganza Classic last Saturday. The Olympians had very little trouble with the hapless Golden Eagles, who saw their record fall to 1-12. Leuzinger wasted no time in taking a 34-2 lead midway in the second quarter that included a 29-0 run after Photos and article by Joe Snyder After losing all five starters from last season’s CIF-Southern Section Division IIA and CIF-Southern California Regional Division II runner-up squad, Lawndale High’s boys’ basketball team is faced with rebuilding. The Cardinals finished preseason play with a mediocre 7-6 record after pulling away from Centennial High from Compton 75-52 in the Serra Cavalier Extravaganza Classic last Saturday in Gardena. Both teams were even at 12 after the first quarter but, from the second period on, Lawndale separated from the Apaches, their former league opponent when they played in the Pioneer League up to two years ago. In the second quarter, Lawndale outscored Centennial 23-13 to take a 35-25 halftime lead. The Cardinals proceeded to take a 53-34 advantage through three periods, then saw them lead by as many as 27 points in the final quarter to win handily. “We played with a lot of energy,” Lawndale head coach Chris Brownlee said. “We were able to get good fast breaks.” The Cardinals were led by A.J. Gipson with a game-high 16 points. Lawndale had three other players score in double figures. Jalen Hamler added 12 points. Erick Willis and Marjay Gilmore each chipped in 10 points. The Apaches, who fell to 9-5, were led by Tryee Coleman with 11 points. Jonathan Gales contributed 10 points. The Cardinals began the Ocean League at Culver City High on Wednesday. The Centaurs are 8-6 in non-league play. Lawndale, then, will be heavily tested as it travels to Santa Monica for a 7:30 p.m. contest Friday. The Vikings are off to a 12-2 start and are led by fourth year starting varsity player Jonah Matthews, a highly regarded NCAA Division I college prospect. Jonah’s brother, Jordan, led Santa Monica to CIF-Southern Section Division IA and CIF-Southern California Division I championships, and is currently playing at University of California in Berkeley. Lawndale hosts Rialto in a non-league game Saturday at 3:30 p.m. before resuming Ocean play at home against El Segundo next Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. Leuzinger High Under first year head coach Arturo Jones, leading 5-2 with about two minutes into the game. The Olympians led 38-8 at halftime and 61-22 after three quarters. After Davion Crowder started the fourth period scoring with a three-point basket, the remainder of the game was played with a mercy rule running clock as Leuzinger finished the game outscoring King-Drew 9-4 in that quarter for the final score. Crowder led the Olympians with a game-high 23 points, just three less than the entire Golden Eagle scoring. Damani Washington had 10 points and Terrell Williams finished with nine. “We’re starting to play together,” Jones said. “We pressed them very well.” The Olympians’ win was their fifth straight Morningside High’s Charles Akanno shoots a basket in last week’s San Pedro Pirate Shootout Boys’ Basketball Tournament action against Bay League foe Peninsula. after starting at 4-6. That included a 63-47 win over Brentwood in the Jordan Brand Take Flight Extravaganza on January 2 at Redondo High that avenged their defeat to the Eagles in the Beverly Hills Tournament on December 12. Leuzinger began the Pioneer League on Wednesday at West Torrance on Wednesday. The Olympians, then, will host Torrance in what could be a league showdown Friday at 7:30 p.m. The Tartars, so far, are enjoying a very good season with a 10-5 record that included defeating host West 52-42 last Friday. Leuzinger will visit South Torrance in league next Wednesday at the same time. Executive Prep Academy of Finance The Executive Prep Academy of Finance boys’ basketball team from Hawthorne is displaying an 18-5 record after capturing the Antelope Valley New Year’s Classic last week at Lancaster Baptist High. The Bulls won the title by slipping past Heritage Christian High of Cypress 63-60 on Saturday. Executive Prep started the tournament with a 52-49 victory over host Lancaster Baptist on January 5. A day later, the Bulls downed McAuliffe of Lancaster 64-48, then topped Golden Valley from Santa Clarita 71-65 to advance to the final. Executive Prep hosted Lennox Academy in Mulholland League play last Monday. The Bulls will play in the Verizon “Hoops for Cure Classic” against Emery from Emeryville Saturday at 12:30 p.m. The Bulls began the season ranked third in the CIF-Southern Section Division VA. Inglewood High Inglewood High’s boys’ basketball team improved to 12-4 overall by defeating Serra High of Gardena 56-46 on January 6. The Sentinels began the Bay League in what could be a showdown at home against Redondo, which improved to 12-3 after rolling over Cerritos Gahr 65-45 in the Westchester Showcase on Saturday, on Tuesday. Inglewood upset the Sea Hawks 57-54 at home last year and were seeking to repeat. The Sents host Palos Verdes Friday and are at Mira Costa in Manhattan Beach next Tuesday in 7:30 p.m. league games. • Lawndale High’s Erick Willis gets in for a basket in last Saturday’s Serra Cavalier Classic game against Centennial. The Cardinals play a critical Ocean League at Santa Monica Friday at 7:30 p.m.
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