SOUTHERN SECTION BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES : Boys’ 1-A and Small Schools : Haskin Gets 58 Points; Beaumont Wins, 80-66

Beaumont High School’s 6-foot 10-inch center Scott Haskin, who was recruited by more than 150 schools before choosing Oregon State during the early signing period, scored a career-high 58 points Friday night at Yucaipa to lead the Cougars to an 80-66 victory over Bell-Jeff of Burbank for its first Southern Section boys’ 1-A title.

Haskin had been held to a season-low 18 points in Beaumont’s 51-46 semifinal victory over Cathedral Tuesday. Against Bell-Jeff, however, he was nearly unstoppable, making 26 of 36 shots.

“I really wanted this game,” Haskin said. “I wanted to redeem myself.”

Undersized Bell-Jeff (19-7) packed the middle with 6-2 Henry Polee, 6-1 Nick Sanderson and 6-0 Chris Dyer, but it was to no avail. Haskin scored 13 points in the first quarter on 6-of-8 shooting as Beaumont (23-5) took a 15-14 lead. He had 28 points at halftime.

With Haskin connecting on 12 of 17 first-half shots (70.6%), the Cougars led, 38-24. He finished Bell-Jeff off with 20 points in the fourth quarter. In addition to his offense, Haskin was also a force on defense. he grabbed a game-high 19 rebounds and blocked 7 shots.