Claremont, La Verne High Schools Represented en Force at Annual Azusa Shootout

AZUSA – The Cities of Claremont and La Verne were well represented Saturday at the Azusa Pacific Shootout held at Felix Hall with Damien, Bonita and Claremont High Schools all entered in the annual showcase.

Damien bounced back from its 92-65 defeat to the number 1 team in California, Chino Hills Friday night to defeat Martin Luther King High School of Riverside 73-57.

Bryce Peters led four Spartans in double figures with 18 points (8 of which via the dunk), while Liam Ryan added 14 points and eight rebounds for Damien who improved to 19-2. Isaiah White added 16 points, three rebounds and four assists, while Elijah McCollough pitched in 10 points.

It was King who started out strong, but Damien kept its resolve to take the 36-34 lead heading into halftime.

Jordan Robinson was the leading scorer of the game with 22 points, along with four rebounds four assists and four steals. Ryan Laudermilk added 8 points and Markell Well pitched in seven points for the Wolves who dropped to 10-9.

Damien went on a 10-2 run to open the second half, including six points by Ryan and a coast-to-coast dunk by Peters. The Spartans never looked back after that.

Damien returns to Baseline league play Tuesday, January 26 as they visit Los Osos. Tip off is at 6:30pm.

St. John Bosco 63, Bonita 61

Despite opening on a 14-0 run, including eight points by senior guard Tyler Poepping, the St. John Bosco Braves was able to escape with a 63-61 victory in an earlier matchup.

Joe Quintana led the way for the Bearcats with 25points, including the final nine points for Bonita down the stretch, the final three points at the buzzer to close the gap to 63-61.

Poepping finished with 23 points, while Andrew Williams added seven points and five rebounds. Russell Hernandez added six points for the Bearcats who falls to 17-4.

Bonita returns to Palomares League play, as it hosts Ayala for sole possession of first place, Tuesday, January 26. Tipoff is at 6:30pm.

Sonora 80, Claremont 73

Kyle Scalmanini scored 23 points and Harlan Maass and Davis Haley had 13 each for the Wolfpack, which slipped to 15-5.

Claremont had three chances to tie or go ahead as it trailed by a point but couldnt get over the hump.

Claremont hosts South Hills Tuesday, January 26. Tipoff time is 6:30pm.