Boys Hoops: Spartans End League Play with Blowout Win

La Cañada let Blair hang around for the first quarter. From there, the Spartans boys basketball team pounded the Vikings, leading by as many as 47 points on the road in an 89-47 win on Thursday.

The Spartans finished the season 22-3 overall with an unblemished Rio Hondo League record. It was La Cañada’s fourth straight victory after dropping a game against El Camino on Jan. 29.

“It was a good, balanced effort,” coach Tom Hofman said. “After the El Camino loss, we wanted to improve our balance. I think we’re doing a good job of that. We’ve been distributing the ball a lot better and we’ve had a good last four games.”

With a six-point lead at the end of the first quarter, the Spartans seemed in control of the game, but the scoreboard didn’t reflect it. That all changed in the first two minutes of the second quarter as La Cañada went on a 10-0 run.

Blair went cold the rest of the quarter, scoring just eight points in the second stanza. La Cañada led by 24 points at the half and by 36 at the end of the third quarter. The lead was actually increased with subs finishing out the fourth quarter. A running clock was implemented during the final five minutes of the game. 

Matt Faber led the way for the Spartans. Faber finished with 15 points, nine rebounds, two steals and a blocked shot. In the first quarter, Faber had six points and six boards. He had an efficient shooting night, going 6-for-7 from the field and a perfect 4-for-4 from the free throw line.

Center Conner Boyd hurt the Vikings in the second quarter to the tune of 12 points and four rebounds. He was perfect from the field and all of his buckets were either layups off of screen and rolls or putbacks.

Forward Dario CiVon added 10 points, while guard Mike McGlashan scored 12.

McGlashan, the team’s leading scorer this season, is confident heading into the playoffs.

“It’s huge knowing that we were able to win the league going undefeated,” McGlashan said. “We have all this confidence going into the CIF playoffs. It doesn’t matter who we play. We have to bring our game and we can beat anyone out there.”

The Vikings finished the season 11-16. The 89 points the Spartans scored were the most Blair has given up all season.

Only guard Ceandre Cade scored in double figures. Cade led all scorers with 21 points on 8 of 14 shooting. He knocked down five 3-pointers and had three steals.

“That was a great team,” Blair coach Shawn Bankhead said. “Hats off to La Cañada. Hats off to coach Hofman. They have a great program there. I told my guys, ‘if you don’t come out hard against them they will come hard against you.’ If we don’t come out hard, that’s what happens. Teams like that blow you out.”

La Cañada will now wait for the CIF-Southern Section Division 3AA playoff pairings, which will be announced Sunday. The Spartans are currently ranked No. 3 in the division.

“We’re playing well right now,” Hofman said. “We couldn’t be in a better spot going into the playoffs. We know we have to play well every single night.”

Girls Basketball Loses Close One

The La Cañada girls basketball team finished up the season with a 61-58 loss at Blair.

Kristene Hossepian scored 20, while Cailan Howey added 18 for the Spartans.

The Spartans finished the year 7-19 (3-7). Blair improved to 10-11 (6-4).