Montclair Prep Earns Share of League Title With Surprising Ease

He did not figure prominently in his third Super Bowl of the decade, nor did he pitch his team to a surprising World Series championship.

But Mike Harris knew just what to say after helping Montclair Prep to a share of its third consecutive Alpha League boys’ basketball title Thursday night at Montclair Prep.

A la Montana and Hershiser, Harris yelled “Hey, I’m going to Disneyland!” after the Mounties had disposed of Village Christian, 72-49.

Both teams finished with 7-3 league records, giving Montclair Prep its second consecutive co-championship. The Mounties tied L.A. Baptist last season and won the title outright the previous season.

“This one really is the toughest one of them all,” Montclair Prep Coach Howard Abrams said. “We were really just hoping to make the playoffs.”

Abrams’ modest expectations arose when the Mounties lost Craig Handschu, the highest scoring junior in the state last season, to injury early in the season. “We’ve had to play with a lot of team work,” Abrams said.

And against Village Christian (10-11), Harris and off-guard J.T. Billingslea teamed to vanquish the Crusaders in the first half.

Harris scored six points and had five assists and Billingslea added 12 of his game-high 19 points as Montclair Prep (17-9) blitzed Village Christian, 45-28, in the first half.

“Offensively, we were dead and they were incredible,” Village Christian Coach Mike Henzi said. “They didn’t miss anything.”

Not quite 100%, but close. The Mounties made 28 of 45 field-goal attempts in the first half.

Forward Jason Gerber scored 14 points and Ennis Howard added 12 points and 9 rebounds for Montclair Prep. Scott Danielson led Village Christian with 16 points.