State champs announce 2018-2019 schedule
By Jacob H. Pollon
Sierra Canyon Athletic Dept.
Staff Writer
CHATSWORTH — The defending California Open Division state champion Sierra Canyon boys basketball team is not shying away from competition as it tries for a second consecutive title.
Coach Andre Chevalier has put together quite an arduous slate of games highlighted by four trips out-of-state and a nice journey to San Diego to start the year.
“We really want to challenge this group,” Chevalier said. “We have a great group of seniors with talent and experience to handle a national slate of games.”
Led by seniors Cassius Stanley, K.J. Martin, Scotty Pippen, Jr., L. Simpson, seven-foot center Christian Koloko and, 6-foot-9 rising junior Terren Frank the Trailblazers are excited to showcase their skills and talent at Montgomery High in San Diego from Thursday, Nov. 15 through Saturday, Nov. 17. The eight-team tournament features San Diego power team St. Augustine.
Sierra Canyon will play a nationally televised game at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 29 in Las Vegas against Nevada state power Bishop Gorman.
After a week off to prepare for final exams, Sierra Canyon heads for the Aloha state to play in the prestigious Iolani Classic at Iolani School in Hawaii from Dec. 18-21. The Nike-sponsored tournament features top teams from all over the country. There will be no rest for the weary with only a few days off to celebrate Christmas and then its off to Oregon for the Dec. 26-29th Les Schwab Invitational hosted by Liberty High in Hillsboro, Oregon.
“Our goal is to win another championship in Hawaii,” Chevalier said. “Our school was able to beat La Lumiere (Indiana) in the 2015-2016 season. We want to come out on top, again. In Oregon we get a chance to play University Prep (Florida). A chance to play a great team with great players if everything goes right.”
The rest of the schedule will take place in California except for a special Martin Luther King, Jr. day showcase game against Montverde Academy (Florida) at the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Massachusetts in another nationally televised game.
Sierra Canyon will play six Gold Coast League contests in January along with four nonleague games. The crown jewel will be a Saturday, Feb. 2 showdown with Rancho Christian at Cerritos College. Rancho Christian features the USC-bound Mobley brothers, senior Isaiah and junior Evan. The game will be a rematch of the 2018 Southern Section Open Div. first-round game won by Sierra Canyon down the stretch in a tight affair.
“We think we have a good balance with our schedule,” Chevalier said. “More importantly, the kids will have some experiences they will remember forever.”
Sierra Canyon will also host a nonleague game against Hollywood High (led by senior point guard Jared Layne) on Wed., Nov. 21, the day before Thanksgiving.
Here is the complete schedule as of Tuesday, Sept. 18. Subject to change. Always check www.sierracanyonathletics.com for updated info. @scanyonbball on twitter @scanyonsports on twitter
SIERRA CANYON BOYS BASKETBALL SCHEDULE 2018-2019
2018 California Open Division State Champions
Thursday Nov. 15-17 at Montgomery High tournament in San Diego
Wednesday Nov. 21 vs. Hollywood, 6 p.m.
Thursday Nov. 29 at Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nevada), 6 p.m.
Dec. 3-8 Sierra Canyon tournament
Dec. 17-21 at Iolani Classic tournament in Hawaii
Dec. 26-29 at Les Schwab tournament in Oregon
Sat. Jan. 5 vs. xxxx (opponent tba)
Fri. Jan. 11 at Viewpoint*
Sat. Jan. 12 vs. Coronado (Nevada)
Tue. Jan. 15 at Windward*
Fri. Jan. 18 at Crossroads*
Mon. Jan. 21 vs. Montverde Academy (Florida) in Massachusetts
Wed. Jan. 23 vs. Campbell Hall*
Fri. Jan. 25 vs. Brentwood*
Tue. Jan. 29 vs. Paraclete*
Sat. Feb. 2 vs. Rancho Christian (Cerritos College gym)
*Gold Coast League contest