Damien helps Open Division playoff chances with 59-45 win over Etiwanda

RJ Smith made it clear there was no likelihood he was leaving Damien’s gymnasium with no victory on senior night time.

“No. I couldn’t,” he mentioned. “It’s a group purpose we need to win league.”

The Spartans got here away with a 59-45 victory over Etiwanda on Monday night time, leaving Damien (23-2, 6-1) and Etiwanda (18-6, 7-1) deadlocked for first place within the Baseline League. It additionally avenged the Spartans’ loss to Etiwanda earlier this season.

Smith, headed to Colorado, has a sister, Kennedy, who’s a standout participant for Etiwanda’s No. 1-ranked women’ basketball group. When huge brother is taking part in in opposition to Etiwanda, Kennedy is there. She was carrying her brother’s inexperienced No. 5 jacket.

“She loves supporting me and I really like supporting her,” RJ mentioned.

There’s not a lot that Smith doesn’t do properly. He completed with 14 factors, had a few assists, made all six of his free throws and performed strong protection in opposition to Etiwanda’s Curtis Williams, who fouled out with simply eight factors. Damien had stability. Spivey Phrase scored 16 factors, Kaleb Smith had 15 factors and Jimmy Oladokun had 10 factors. Jacob Barcelo scored 12 factors within the third quarter for Etiwanda when he tried to assist the Eagles come again from a 16-point deficit.

Damien’s victory helps the Spartans’ likelihood to make the Southern Part Open Division playoffs and severely hurts the possibilities of Etiwanda, which seems headed to the Division 1 playoffs after profitable the Open Division regional title final season.

Grant 70, Solar Valley Poly 64: The Lancers avenged an earlier East Valley League defeat to the Parrots. Jeremiah Windham completed with 32 factors and 11 rebounds.

Westchester 67, LACES 39: The Comets picked up an necessary Western League win. Angel Corona had 18 factors.

Venice 54, Palisades 43: The Gondoliers improved to 8-0 within the Western League behind sophomore Tyler Hunt, who scored 20 factors and had seven rebounds. It units up a Wednesday showdown at Fairfax (7-0). The Lions defeated College 74-43.

Chatsworth 68, Cleveland 46: Tim Lopez completed with 21 factors for the Chancellors.

Boys’ soccer

King/Drew 2, Fremont 1: Fremont had its 56-game unbeaten streak within the Coliseum League finish.

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