La Canada Settles a Score, 70-57

Having already clinched its 11th consecutive Rio Hondo League boys’ basketball title, La Canada High seemed to have little to play for Thursday night in its regular-season finale against Temple City.

Except revenge.

Senior center Matt Moore had 37 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists to help the Spartans avenge their only league setback, 70-57.

“We were fully expecting this game to decide the league championship,” La Canada Coach Tom Hofman said.

Instead, the Spartans (22-5, 9-1 in league play), ranked No. 2 in the Southern Section Division III-AA poll, were assured a first-place finish Tuesday when Temple City lost to South Pasadena.

“They really spanked us the first time,” Hofman said of a 69-50 defeat in January. “That was our worst loss of the season.”

In that game, Moore scored 41 points but no teammate had more than three.

Moore didn’t dominate this time, but he got help from his teammates. Reserve guard Bryan Stevens scored 13 points and Ian Sullivan’s third three-point basket gave La Canada a 66-54 lead with a just over a minute remaining.

Temple City (14-11, 6-4) pulled to within 36-34 on a four-point play by Josh Johnson midway through the third quarter. Moore’s dunk kept La Canada ahead, 46-44, entering the final quarter.

It was La Canada’s 59th consecutive league victory at home.