Sierra Canyon only loses one game through November and December
By Jacob H. Pollon
The Sierra Canyon boys basketball team had a successful trip to Santa Barbara.
The Trailblazers won all four games they played in the Santa Barbara Holiday Classic and improved to 14-1 this year.
Justin Pippen was named tournament MVP and Noah Williams and Bryce Cofield were named to the all-tournament team.
Sierra Canyon had no issues with Newbury Park in the championship with an easy 88-25 victory. NP was missing its best player, Blake Jones, due to injury.
Chaminade-transfer Ethan Johnson scored 19 points, including five 3-pointers to lead the Trailblazers. Williams added 14 points and Bryce James scored 12 points.
Cofield and sophomore Jordan Askew each scored 10 points, while Pippen contributed nine points.
Sierra Canyon led 28-3 after one quarter and was ahead 41-3 before Newbury Park ended the half on a mini 11-5 run. It was 73-17 after three quarters and a running clock was used the rest of the way.
In earlier tournament games, Sierra Canyon knocked off Oak Park 87-37 behind Cofield’s 20 points and Pippen’s 18 and six assists.
Johnson, Majok Chuol and Jayden Alexander each scored eight points while the trio of Williams, James and Kamron Martin each scored six points.
Sierra Canyon jumped out to a 22-1 lead and led 35-4 at one point in the second quarter.
In the first two games of the four-day tournament, Sierra Canyon beat Santa Barbara 85-41 and Burroughs of Burbank 92-46.
Pippen poured in 26 points against Santa Barbara. Williams and Cofield each had 12 points. Alexander scored 10 points.
Williams scored 20 points against Burroughs, Pippen had 17, Cofield 14 and James 12 in a balanced attack.
Sierra Canyon comes home for a Wednesday, Jan. 3 game against Pilibos and high-scoring guard Anto Balian.
Mission League play begins Friday with a 7 p.m. game at Chaminade.
An Open Division preview game is Saturday at 7 p.m at Cerritos College against St. Pius-St. Matthias.