Boys’ basketball: Alemany wins first title since school opened in 1956

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It took 56 years, but Mission Hills Alemany has finally won a championship in boys’ basketball. With Marqueze Coleman scoring 23 points and Max Guercy 21, the Warriors defeated Oak Park, 72-60, in the Southern Section 3A final at the Anaheim Convention Center.

After starting the game with 11 turnovers and falling behind, 22-15, Alemany (28-4) turned up the defensive pressure and got going offensively behind Coleman and Guercy.

Ron Lee Jr., who had 19 points for Oak Park (24-8), kept his team in the game in the first half but foul trouble hurt him in the second half and he fouled out early in the fourth quarter. Jackson Hall also was effective for Oak Park, scoring 15 points.

‘They’re a fantastic team,’ Alemany Coach Tray Meeks said of the Eagles. ‘They make you play defense every second. They were well-deserved to be here.’

But Alemany has the talent that makes it a state title contender. Coleman, who came to Alemany last year with his twin brother from Dorsey, had a one-handed dunk in the fourth quarter that fired up Alemany fans. Two wins over Loyola and wins over 4AA powers Price and Crespi leave little doubt that the Warriors are one of the elite teams in Southern California.

‘When we come to play, I don’t think there’s a team that can handle us,’ Guercy said.

-- Eric Sondheimer