Basketball roundup: Harvard-Westlake advances in The Classic at Damien; West Ranch, Notre Dame, Heritage Christian lose

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LA VERNE — Like ESPN’s Stuart Scott used to say, “As cool as the other side of the pillow.”

That was the Harvard-Westlake boys basketball team in its 67-56 win over Etiwanda in the Platinum Division quarterfinals in The Classic at Damien tournament Wednesday night.

The Wolverines fell behind 9-0, but kept their calm demeanor with patient offense and quality shots to eventually take a 17-15 lead in the second quarter.

Near the end of the game, with just three minutes to play, Nikolas Khamenia hit a corner 3-pointer and Jacob Huggins converted a tough basket underneath to balloon Harvard-Westlake’s lead from four points to nine and that secured the win.

Notre Dame signee Brady Dunlap and four-star recruit Trent Perry starred in the victory, scoring 23 and 20 points, respectively.

Brady Dunlap sheds the contact, scores the basket. Harvard-Westlake’s lead back to double digits in the fourth quarter. pic.twitter.com/H5wJsw3FC0

— Tarek Fattal (@Tarek_Fattal) December 29, 2022

Harvard-Westlake (15-0) will face Curtis High of Washington in the semifinal Thursday at 7 p.m.

West Ranch and Notre Dame lost in its Platinum Division quarterfinals.

The Wildcats suffered their first loss of the season to Rancho Christian 45-41 despite 23 points and eight rebounds from center Jazz Gardner. Andrew Meadow added 15 points.

Dusty Stromer scored 28 points, but it wasn’t enough in the Knights’ 87-83 loss to Liberty High of Nevada. Duke-bound Caleb Foster had 21 points and Mercy Miller scored 15.

Notre Dame (9-4) and West Ranch (14-1) will face each other Thursday at 2:30 p.m. in a rematch from the Providence High Tournament final on Nov. 19. West Ranch won 66-64.

Caleb Foster from way downtown. Liberty (NV) leads Notre Dame 40-36 with 3:43 left in the opening half. pic.twitter.com/5YeJOw9P9i

— Tarek Fattal (@Tarek_Fattal) December 29, 2022

Both programs are vying for a berth in the Open Division of the CIF Southern Section playoffs. Notre Dame earned a berth for the first time in program history last season. If West Ranch, which won the Tarkanian Classic in Las Vegas last week, earns a berth this season it would be the first time in program history.

“We talk about playing the Open Division every day, that’s our goal,” said West Ranch’s Andrew Meadow, who signed with Boise State.

In the Gold Division of The Classic at Damien, Heritage Christian fell to Ironwood of Arizona 63-53 in a quarterfinal matchup. The Warriors (8-3) have a lot of talent with sophomores Tae Simmons and Dillan Shawm, junior Seven Bahati and senior Giovanni Goree, a transfer from Viewpoint.

Patience is a virtue. Heritage Christian runs through a set to find Tae Simmons in the post for the old fashion 3-point play. Heritage Christian is mounting a comeback, trailing 50-42 with 7mins to go in the 4th. pic.twitter.com/xamSOcKszq

— Tarek Fattal (@Tarek_Fattal) December 29, 2022

Heritage Christian trailed by 19 points before getting within eight points in the fourth quarter, but Ironwood pulled away. Goree led Heritage Christian with 16 points and Bahati added 12.

GOLD DIVISION

Colony 47, Birmingham 45: Tyson Jackson scored 13 points, Kory Blunt had 10 and freshman Caleb Newton added nine in Birmingham’s loss.

DIAMOND DIVISION

Village Christian 70, Saint Monica 48: Thomas Luczak led the Crusaders with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Jaden Karuletwa added 16 points.

Lakewood 59, Oak Park 54: Isaiah Sherrard’s 18 points and nine rebounds as the Eagles’ record dropped to 9-7.

SILVER DIVISION

St. Francis defeated Washington Prep 48-40 Tuesday thanks to Jackson Mosley’s 15 points. The Golden Knights will take on Campbell Hall in the semifinals Thursday at 7 p.m. at Bonita High. Campbell Hall defeated Saugus 72-59 to reach the semifinals. Aliaun Iscandari scored 23 points in the win.