CIF basketball championships: Son of ex-Warriors star falls short again; Cal-bound star wins another title

SACRAMENTO — Jesuit-Carmichael had a stellar game sharing the ball. 

The Marauders had four players in double figures and had 19 assists on 22 made baskets in a 66-53 win over Chatsworth in the Division II title game. 

But their offensive brilliance wasn’t the story of the game. 

Jesuit thoroughly shut down Chatsworth’s high-scoring offense and limited Alijah Arenas – son of former Golden State Warriors guard Gilbert Arenas and one of the nation’s top scorers – to 22 points on 8 of 21 shooting from the field. 

“We set a goal to try to have single-digit quarters defensively,” Jesuit coach Tim Kelly. “That’s really hard to do when they have McDonald’s All-American on their team. “But I think the way that these guys are willing to play basketball, the defense complements the offense. I think it all fits together in terms of the pace of play.”

In the fourth quarter, Arenas was held without a field goal and scored just three points after getting fouled behind the three-point line. 

Jesuit used a 1-3-1 zone that slowed the game down and forced the Chancellors into tough long range 3s or contested layups at the rim. 

“It was very unorthodox,” Chatsworth coach Sam Harris said. “We watched film on it. We had the scouting report on it, but trying to beat it was something totally different. Honestly, we just weren’t aggressive enough.” 

Last year, Arenas lit up the scoreboard as he totaled 44 points in a loss to Monterey in the Division IV title game. Jesuit said it was eager to face one of the state’s top players. 

“I think that we just took it as a challenge,” Jesuit senior guard Asher Schroeder said. “Each game has a different challenge and that was just the challenge for this game was to stop him.” 

– Nathan Canilao

ETIWANDA: PUFF MORRIS CAN’T WAIT TO PLAY FOR CAL

Puff Morris has some celebrating to do. 

Etiwanda’s All-American point guard won her third consecutive state championship Saturday night against Archbishop Mitty, scoring 12 points and dishing out seven assists.

But when she’s finished honoring the occasion, she’s ready to commence her collegiate career at California, where she will join coach Charmin Smith’s resurgent group. 

“This is my second trip up here,” Morris said. “I came up here earlier this year to play Carondelet. Both atmospheres have been great, and I’m excited to get started at Cal. I’m glad it’s still in the state of California, and I get to wear that across my chest. It feels great to play up here, to get a taste of what it will be like my next four years.”

Cal will begin the NCAA Tournament next weekend after securing its first appearance in six years. Part of Morris wishes she could take the court with the Bears right away.

“They’ve been doing great,” Morris said. “I’m really proud of them, and I’m excited to get started with them. Every time I watch a game, I try to imagine myself and what I can do for them. So I’m excited.”

– Christian Babcock

PRIORY: GETTING READY FOR NBA COURT

Priory didn’t have an NBA-sized court to practice on this week as it prepared to play – and win – the boys Division V title game against Fresno Christian.

 

That didn’t stop the coach David Moseley’s Portola Valley program from finding a way to familiarize itself with the spacious measurements of Sacramento’s Golden 1 Center. 

“We just ran more at practice, and we just ran all the way to the wall instead of the end line, and then all the way to the side wall,” Moseley said. “We just made the court bigger so we were ready for the dimensions.”

Several teams over the years have also noted that the lighting and deep backdrop of the King’s home court is difficult to adjust to for high school teams. 

Once again, Priory had an answer. The Panthers had a shootaround at the Hardwood Palace in nearby Rocklin. 

“We practiced and played on the hoop that had a lot of stuff going on behind the background,” Balazs Nyikos said.