St. John Bosco boys’ basketball stuns Mater Dei in thrilling win

To say that the St. John Bosco basketball staff made historical past on Friday evening in Santa Ana could be an understatement.

Ever since Mater Dei opened its Meruelo Athletic Middle in 2006-07, the Monarchs had by no means misplaced a Trinity League basketball sport at house. When Luke Barnett’s three-point try caromed off the rim on the buzzer, St. John Bosco started to have a good time a 67-64 victory.

“It’s an amazing feeling,” stated St. John Bosco guard Jack Turner, who made two free throws with 15.9 seconds left and completed with 15 factors. “I’m glad I might be a part of a staff to make it occur.”

Mater Dei coach Gary McKnight, in his forty first season, is the winningest coach in California historical past with 1,227 victories and 130 losses. St. John Bosco coach Matt Dunn has overwhelmed McKnight groups 5 occasions, greater than another opposing coach.

“Our gamers bailed us out,” Dunn stated.

He’s proper, as a result of a technical foul referred to as on a St. John Bosco assistant with 1:56 left virtually turned the sport round for the Monarchs (13-3, 1-1). Mater Dei made 4 consecutive free throws to shut to 63-61.

St. John Bosco sophomores Elzie Harrington and Kade Bonam have been excellent, ending with 21 and 17 factors, respectively. The Braves improved to 16-3 total and 2-0 in league.

“I believed we have been in a fog within the first half,” Dunn stated. “They run a lot stuff and it confused us.”

Mater Dei’s group of freshmen gamers got here by for a lot of the evening. Freshman Luke Barnett scored 11 of his 17 factors within the second quarter to assist the Monarchs open a 37-30 halftime lead. Freshman Che Brogan added 11 factors. Senior Zack Davidson scored 16 factors.

An enormous contributor for St. John Bosco was 6-foot-9 heart Xinyi Li, who made key baskets and completed with 12 factors. After which there was Turner, who calmly and confidently made his two free throws to offer the Braves just a little respiration room.

“I used to be in rhythm,” Turner stated.

Requested what beating Mater Dei on its house court docket meant, Dunn stated, “It means we’re in first place within the Trinity League. Profitable on the highway is so onerous on this league. It’s an amazing win towards an amazing program.”

This weekend might reveal loads about doable groups for the Southern Part Open Division playoffs due to premier matchups.

At Redondo Union on Saturday, No.2 Torrance Bishop Montgomery (18-0) is enjoying No.1 Studio Metropolis Harvard-Westlake (17-1). At Cerritos Faculty, No.3 Corona Centennial (13-3) is going through No.8 Sherman Oaks Notre Dame (11-6). At Galen Middle, No.6 Chatsworth Sierra Canyon (14-3) is taking up Georgia Wheeler (8-4).

The Mission League started motion on Friday evening with Bronny James scoring 20 factors in Sierra Canyon’s 80-47 win over West Hills Chaminade. Harvard-Westlake defeated Mission Hills Bishop Alemany 77-47 with Jacob Huggins scoring 18 factors. Notre Dame defeated Loyola 66-44, led by Caleb Foster’s 21 factors. La Cañada Flintridge St. Francis defeated Encino Crespi 48-42. Jackson Mosley scored 21 factors.

In an enormous Crestview League sport, Santa Ana Foothill (17-1) got here away with a 56-53 win over Anaheim Canyon.