Dominguez Again Takes Center Stage

Compton Dominguez High center Tyson Chandler watched Saturday’s Southern California regional final against Redondo Union from the bench, his severely sprained right ankle in a cast up to his knee.

Dominguez, however, did not miss the 7-foot-1 senior, a possible lottery pick in the NBA draft.

The Dons rallied against a taller opponent for a 62-57 victory at the Forum that advanced Dominguez once again to the Division II state championship game.

The two-time defending champion Dons will play Mountain View St. Francis for the championship Friday at Arco Arena in Sacramento.

“If anyone had the advantage, we did,” Redondo Coach Jim Nielsen said. “They lost their best player.”

Junior forward Bobby Jones scored 19 points and Montell Williams scored seven of his nine points in the fourth quarter to lead Dominguez (30-4), which trailed, 30-29, at halftime, but was ahead, 45-43, at the end of the third quarter.

Redondo Union (28-8) tied the score, 51-51, with 4:22 left, and 53-53, with three minutes remaining.

Dominguez took the lead for good on a leaning jumper by Williams with 2:20 left.

Wendell White scored 17 points for Redondo Union and Dijon Thompson, who will attend UCLA, scored 15 points on seven-of-19 shooting. Adam Zahn and Keith Ellison each had 10 points.

Chandler will not be available for the state final. He said he is scheduled to have his cast removed Friday and if the injury is healing properly, he will begin therapy. Otherwise, he said, he will return to a cast for another week.