BOYS’ BASKETBALL / CHAMINADE TOURNAMENT : Defense Spurs Chaminade to Easy 70-39 Victory

Chaminade forced 22 turnovers as the Eagles posted a 70-39 victory Wednesday night over Yeshiva in the first round of the Chaminade tournament.

“Defense is our philosophy,” Chaminade Coach Jeff Young said. “We’re not known as an offensive powerhouse. But we have a pretty well-balanced attack.”

The host Eagles (6-3) had 18 steals, eight by freshman guard Justin Stewart. Chaminade didn’t trail, and every starter scored.

Chaminade forward Carmine Rossi scored nine of his game-high 13 points in the third quarter. Junior Matt Jewitt made all three of his three-point attempts before colliding with Yeshiva’s Sammy Missry in the third quarter and suffering a thigh bruise. Jewitt left the game and didn’t return.

Chaminade took a 9-2 lead in the first quarter, helped by six Yeshiva turnovers in the first three minutes.

Steve Hammie cut Chaminade’s lead to three, 18-15, by making a three-pointer with 5 1/2 minutes left in the first half. But Chaminade responded with a 14-3 run to lead, 32-18, at halftime.

Chaminade faces undefeated Alhambra (11-0) next.

Alhambra 68, Granada Hills 40--Michael Contreras scored 19 points and Ryan Hart added 16 to lead Alhambra. Ernest Yun had 11 points for Granada Hills, while Will Ruffin and Ernest Quinley each scored 10.

Marshall 55, Rio Mesa 41--Marshall led by eight entering the fourth quarter then outscored the Spartans, 20-14. Guard David He scored 31 points to lead Marshall (4-5). Will Hall led Rio Mesa (1-5) with eight points.

Calabasas 70, St. Monica 58--All starters scored in double figures as the Coyotes (3-5) dispatched the Mariners (2-5). Guard Ryan Coleman led the way with 21 points.