STUDIO CITY — From the opening tip Wednesday night, it felt like destiny was in the hands of the Harvard-Westlake boys basketball team.
But destiny didn’t come without drama.
The Wolverines started the Mission League championship game against Notre Dame with a Nikolas Khamenia 3-pointer from the top of the key as the shot clock was winding down.
And like the way the game started for the Wolverines, it neared its conclusion with Khamenia sinking a high-arching 3-pointer at the top of the key to give his team a 63-62 lead with one minute remaining.
As the clock ticked down through the final seven seconds, after both teams exchanged free throws, Harvard-Westlake held on to win 67-64 to secure its seventh consecutive Mission League title.
“It’s special, man. It’s truly special,” Harvard-Westlake head coach David Rebibo said. “This league is unforgiving. It’s incredibly well coached, incredibly well played, so much talent. For us to do it for the last seven straight years is a testament to our players and our school.
“They’re bought in, and they care, and they’re committed to winning and playing basketball and doing things at a high level, and it’s awesome to see.”
The Wolverines carried a 57-48 advantage into the fourth quarter, down from their 15-point halftime lead. The Knights continued to chip away at the lead from there.
Notre Dame’s NaVorro Bowman stole the ball on the opening inbounds play of the fourth quarter and scored a quick bucket.
Notre Dame’s Tyran Stokes scored a bucket after that as did Zach White, and Bowman scored another layup to bring the score to 57-57.
In the blink of an eye, the Knights tied the game, putting the Wolverines back on their heels.
But Khamenia made big shots and sank his free throws, calming the waters.
The Duke-bound forward scored eight of his team’s 10 fourth-quarter points, and made the clutch 3-pointer to give his team the lead back after Stokes had gotten Notre Dame its first lead of the game with one minute remaining.
Khamenia, who has been a varsity player for four years, praised his teammates after the win, mirroring his unselfish play on the court.
“I’m not out here without those guys,” said Khamenia, who finished with 24 points and nine rebounds. “One through 15, even the guys that don’t get to touch the floor a whole bunch, they’re giving us work every day in practice. This place is really a family, and just to wear Harvard-Westlake on your chest is one of the biggest blessings I could have ever had.”
Sterling scored 22 points for Harvard-Westlake, including a 3-pointer from about 25 feet out as time expired to end the first half.
White led Notre Dame with 18 points and five rebounds and Bowman scored 14 points. Stokes played well through foul trouble, logging 13 points, six rebounds and five assists.
Both teams will await the CIF Southern Section playoff pairings announcement on Saturday at noon.
The likelihood that these two teams might meet for a third time this season is probable, with both programs likely to be playing in the Open Division pool.
For now, the Wolverines will celebrate their seventh straight Mission League title, with another goal on the horizon.
“We’re definitely going to celebrate it tonight, but come tomorrow, we turn that next page and get ready for CIF regionals,” Khamenia said.