The LA City Section had one of its best boys basketball seasons in recent memory last year. Chatsworth’s Alijah Arenas and Westchester’s Tajh Ariza, sons of two former City Section legends and NBA players, Gilbert Arenas and Trevor Ariza, respectively, created a refreshing buzz the section hadn’t felt in a long time.
Gilbert played at Grant. Trevor played at Westchester.
The two faced off in front of a sold-out crowd in the City Section Open Division final at LA Southwest College last February. Ariza led the Comets to victory 65-55.
Both are now gone.
Arenas graduated early and is a freshman at USC. Ariza is at Link Academy in Missouri.
So, what of the City Section now?
Less buzz. A sprinkle of parity. And a lot of the unknown.
The perennial favorites to contend for this year’s Open Division title are Palisades Charter and Cleveland High. But Birmingham Charter might have something to say about that, and the Patriots will get that chance Friday night at home when it hosts Cleveland in a West Valley League tilt at 7 p.m.
Birmingham (12-4, 2-0) is led by Chatsworth transfer Tekeio Phillips, who’s averaging 20 points per game. X’zavion McKay (12.8 ppg, 9.8 rpg) and Wizdom Burnes (10.4 ppg) are key contributors for the Patriots, too.
Cleveland (11-7) has played a very challenging nonleague schedule by design to prepare them for games like Friday’s, and the Open Division playoffs. Junior guard TJ Wansa (12.8 ppg) and 6-foot-8 forward Sergine Deme (16.2 ppg, 9.2 rpg) are leading the way for the Cavs.
Friday night’s game is the first of two matchups this season. The second is on Feb. 4. Both teams are destined for the Open Division, which will take eight teams. But the results will certainly determine seeding, which could directly impact how many home games a team will get in the postseason, if any.
Sierra Canyon impresses at Hoophall Classic
California’s No. 1-ranked boys basketball team represented well at the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass. Sierra Canyon defeated Columbus (Fla.) for the second time this season 75-58 thanks to great performances from the dynamic duo: Brandon McCoy Jr. and Maxi Adams.
McCoy tallied 24 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and three steals. Adams helped to bolster his McDonald’s All-American selection with 24 points, including four 3-pointers.
Sierra Canyon is currently 18-1 overall and 4-0 in the Mission League ahead of its showdown with Harvard-Westlake (21-2, 4-0) Wednesday night at home.
The Sierra Canyon girls basketball team also played at the Hoophall Classic, but fell to Long Island Lutheran (N.Y.) 70-60 despite South Carolina commit Jerzy Robinson’s 33 points and 12 rebounds.
Robinson put her talents on display in front of future college coach, Dawn Staley, who sat courtside during the game.