Introduction to the State Championship Games
LeBron James’ entrance at Golden 1 Center on Friday night produced a crowd reaction similar to a rock star walking on stage for a concert. Fans began to rise from their seats and shout. Anyone with a camera tried to capture the scene of James, his wife and young daughter walking to their courtside seats to watch son Bryce play for Sierra Canyon against Stockton Lincoln in the state Division I championship game.
The Game: Sierra Canyon vs. Stockton Lincoln
James, sidelined because of a groin injury, had another son, Bronny, with the Lakers in Denver, with both games going on simultaneously. It was a fitting ending to James’ six-year run as a Sierra Canyon parent trying to balance his responsibilities as one of the world’s most famous athletes with being the father of two teenage basketball players.
James’ presence helped bring out one of the largest crowds (8,396) for a Friday night state final in years, and Sierra Canyon rallied in the fourth quarter behind Maximo Adams to pull out a 58-53 victory.
Sierra Canyon (27-7) fell behind by four points at halftime after making just one of 13 shots from three-point range. The Trailblazers finally took charge in the fourth quarter when Adams made a three with 1:52 left for a 51-50 lead. The Trailblazers had been three for 23 on three-pointers until that clutch shot.
Key Players and Statistics
Gavin Hightower finished with 15 points, Adams 14 points, Cofield 11 and Stephen Kankole 10. Donez Lindsey and Anthony Moore each scored 18 points for Lincoln, which felt the officiating favored the Trailblazers, who made 20 of 30 free throws.
Other Division Championships
Division III
San Gabriel Academy 52, King’s Academy 51: Mahamadou Diop, San Gabriel Academy’s 6-foot-11 sophomore center from Mali, is someone fans in Southern California will need to watch in the coming years. He’s that good.
He had 10 points, seven rebounds and four blocked shots in the first half of the state championship game. Three of his baskets came on dunks. He didn’t score in the third quarter when his team’s lead was cut from 13 points at halftime to four. That’s when he rose up to get his team rolling, and San Gabriel held on for its first state title.
Division V
San Francisco International 71, Diamond Ranch 52: Conor Maguire scored 32 points to help International come back from a six-point halftime deficit to win the title. Devin Turner scored 16 points and Michael Salazar had 14 points for Diamond Ranch (23-15), the Southern California champion.
Conclusion
The state championship games were filled with excitement and thrilling moments, showcasing the talents of young basketball players from across California. With LeBron James in attendance, Sierra Canyon’s victory in the Division I championship was a highlight of the evening. The performances of Mahamadou Diop in Division III and Conor Maguire in Division V also demonstrated the depth of talent in California’s high school basketball scene.
FAQs
Q: Who won the Division I state championship?
A: Sierra Canyon won the Division I state championship, defeating Stockton Lincoln 58-53.
Q: Who was the key player for Sierra Canyon in the championship game?
A: Maximo Adams was a key player for Sierra Canyon, making a crucial three-pointer in the fourth quarter to help his team take the lead.
Q: Which team won the Division III state championship?
A: San Gabriel Academy won the Division III state championship, defeating King’s Academy 52-51.
Q: Who was the standout player for San Gabriel Academy in the Division III championship game?
A: Mahamadou Diop, a 6-foot-11 sophomore center from Mali, was the standout player for San Gabriel Academy, finishing with 20 points, 13 rebounds, and 7 blocks.
Q: Which team won the Division V state championship?
A: San Francisco International won the Division V state championship, defeating Diamond Ranch 71-52.
