Prep Preview CIF SOUTHERN SECTION BOYS : Golden League

For a while, it appeared that Canyon wouldn’t lose a game in any sport. First the football team won its second straight Southern Section championship and 24th straight game. Then the basketball team won its first six games. That was a school record.

But, alas, the Cowboys Express was stopped. Canyon has lost five of its last seven and enters league play Friday with an 8-5 record (before Tuesday’s game with Harvard). Eight of Canyon’s last nine games have come against Big 5 and 4-A schools, including a 101-72 loss to Ocean View, the No. 2 team in the Big 5.

Coach Greg Hayes said the Cowboys are a fairly young team, starting two seniors, two juniors and one sophomore.

Canyon’s top players include Butch Mettinger, a 6-6 junior forward; Chris Botkin, a 6-2 senior, and Darrin Moloznik, a 5-10 sophomore guard.

Saugus went 18-9 last season, and 6-4 in league. The Centurions entered the 2-A playoffs as a third place team, but missed the semifinals by two points. Santa Clara stopped Saugus, 31-29, in the quarterfinals.

Saugus is without Chris Reese, the school’s all-time leading scorer, who is now at Cedarville College in Ohio. The Centurions were 5-6 before Tuesday’s game with Hoover.

Antelope Valley is the league favorite, while Burroughs of Ridgecrest, Palmdale and Quartz Hill will also be battling for playoff spots.