PREP BASKETBALL REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS : Bruin-to-Be Henderson Leads East Bakersfield Past Inglewood

The defense changed. The momentum changed. The lead changed.

But the one constant was J.R. Henderson, who led East Bakersfield to its first Southern California Regional Division II championship with an 80-65 victory over top-seeded Inglewood Saturday at Anaheim Arena.

The second-seeded Blades (28-4) advance to play Roseville Oakmont (31-3) in the State Division II final Friday night at the Oakland Coliseum Arena.

Henderson, a 6-foot-9 senior who has signed with UCLA, scored a game-high 32 points on 11-of-18 shooting and also had 13 rebounds and four blocked shots. His quickness and strength inside were too much for Inglewood, which double- and triple-teamed him.

“We tried to push him out,” said Inglewood Coach Patrick Roy.

But even outside, Henderson frustrated the Sentinels by making two of three three-point shots. He also made all eight of his free throws, including six in the final two minutes.

The Blades’ defense managed to slow Inglewood junior Paul Pierce, who scored only five of his 21 points in the last 11 minutes.

In the Division I girls’ game:

Lynwood 62, Fresno Clovis West 51--Timicha Kirby scored 17 of her game-high 29 points in the second half as the second-ranked Knights (32-1) earned the right to defend their Division I state championship against Atherton Sacred Heart.

In the Division IV boys’ games:

San Diego Lincoln Prep 94, Verbum Dei 93--Lincoln Prep led for most of the game and withstood a late rally at Cal State Dominguez Hills.

In the Division IV girls’ games:

St. Bernard 54, Santa Ynez 41--Olympia Scott scored a game-high 25 points and also grabbed 12 rebounds to lead St. Bernard (27-4) to its second consecutive Division IV title, at Cal State Dominguez Hills.

In the Division V boys’ games:

Pacific Hills 74, Reedley Immanuel 51--Danny Brummel, a 6-4 senior forward, scored 27 points to lead Pacific Hills (24-8) at Cal State Dominguez Hills.

In the Division V girls’ games:

El Cajon Christian 53, La Jolla The Bishop’s 48--Alisha Nater, a 6-foot-2 junior forward, scored 17 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead Christian (28-4) to its second consecutive regional title.