St. Bernard Hoops Out of State Tourney

Contrary to last season when it was a team with something to prove, the St. Bernard High boys basketball squad has been the favorite since the playoffs started, and on Tuesday night the Vikings found out how hard it is to win taking every single opponent's best shot.

Playing in its own gym with a chance to advance to the CIF Southern California Regional Division V finals for the second straight season, St. Bernard appeared destined for a return trip to Colony High in Ontario, site of the championships. Sun Valley Village Christian, though, didn't get the message. The Crusaders came ready to play and were able to pull off a shocking 75-65 upset that brought St. Bernard's season to an abrupt end.

Junior guard Brandon Randolph had 31 points on 13-for-31 shooting and added six rebounds, three assists and two steals for the No. 1-seeded Vikings (24-8). Emani Gant and Lance Booker each added eight points and Daniel Cordoba had six points. St. Bernard led 20-15 after the first quarter but was outscored 20-11 in the second quarter and trailed by two points heading into the fourth quarter.

Marquis Salmon scored 29 points to lead fifth-seeded Village Christian (31-3), which was looking for redempton after its defeat to Los Angeles Ribet Academy in the CIF Southern Section Division VAA semifinals. The Crusaders opened up the fourth quarter on an 8-0 run to build a 61-51 lead and that proved too big a hill for the Vikings to climb.  

The surprising defeat ended the Vikings' 18-game winning streak. They hadn't lost since December 29 when they fell by 10 points to Lakewood Mayfair, which was beaten by San Diego Lincoln in the Division II regional semifinals Tuesday.

The future looks bright for St. Bernard. In two seasons, Coach Reggie Morris has rejuvenated the program to the tune of 50 wins, 17 losses, back-to-back Camino Real League titles and a regional championship. Randolph, an All-CIF and All-State selection while averaging 18.7 points per game as a sophomore last year, will be back along with junior guards Jerrold Smith and Marc Rodgers and freshman forward Brodericks Jones.

While the boys were the favorites, the St. Bernard girls team entered Tuesday night's CIF Division IV regional semifinal as the heavy underdog against host La Jolla Country Day, one of the top teams in the state.

Bo Corona's squad, which lost to Los Angeles Windward in the Southern Section 4AA semifinals, had opened the state tournament with impressive victories over Lindsay and Burbank Bell-Jeff, but the fourth-seeded Vikings (27-9) just couldn't keep pace with the San Diego Section champions, losing 81-59 to fall one game short of their second consecutive regional championship appearance.  

Four players scored in double figures for St. Bernard, led by sophomore center LaJahna Drummer's 17 points and 15 rebounds. Maya Hood had 23 points and 12 rebounds for the top-seeded Torreys (30-1), who led by 11 at halftime and pulled away for their 19th consecutive victory. 

St. Bernard lost by 11 to Los Altos Hills Pinewood in the Division V state final last season.