By Ed Piper
Sierra Canyon, the fifth-ranked high school team in the nation, displayed some stellar basketball in its run of three games to win the championship of the recent San Diego Tip-off Challenge at Montgomery High in the South Bay.
Said Chad Bickley, coach of Santa Fe Christian, "They are the best (high school) team I have ever seen," according to Bishop's coach Nick Levine, who talked to Bickley after the Eagles' 39-point loss to the elite Trailblazers Fri., Nov. 16 in the tournament semifinals.
In the title game Saturday night, Nov. 17 against St. Augustine, who some thought might put up a fair fight, Sierra Canyon, powered by 6'1" guard Scotty Pippen Jr. and 6'7" forward Kenyon "K.J." Martin, humbled the Saints after early resistance to run away with an 86-40 win.
Saints star Chibuzo Agbo, a 6'6" junior, was definitely knocked off his game by the insistent, even smothering pressure of Coach Andre Chevalier's Blazers. Agbo, who normally has a good touch outside and who is dominant inside against San Diego County foes, on this night couldn't attune to the basket from outside and frequently was pounded by Martin, whose father starred in the NBA, and other Trailblazers, including 6'7" Terren Frank.
In fact, in the thrashing witnessed in the Montgomery High gym by a large crowd drawn by Sierra Canyon's appearance, the depth of the Trailblazers became apparent, while Coach Mike Haupt's Saints could only go six deep.
While Pippen, a smart, quick guard, made numerous steals and displayed good decision-making in transition, it was the impressive Martin who showed himself to be a man among boys, with soaring left-handed dunks and fine skills at both ends of the court.
Guard Cassius Stanley, the only five-star recruit among the Blazers, picked his spots and showed a playfulness after the game became a blowout later in the first half.
Sierra Canyon's seven-footer, Christian Koloko, for the third straight night was easily pushed around by much shorter opponents. It's interesting that he is a commit to the University of Arizona, despite the ineffectiveness the thin Koloko showed in the Montgomery tourney. The Wildcats are obviously banking on his height to eventually be accompanied by a more solid presence in the middle.
For Haupt's underdog Saints, his son, 6'5" guard Luke Haupt, hung in there against the powerful Trailblazers better than his teammates. He didn't appear flustered in the way Agbo did.
St. Augustine, though, will do well in the San Diego Section. The Saints were facing, as Santa Fe Christian's Bickley stated, a team at a much higher level.
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