Top-Seeded Verbum Dei Wins

The top-seeded Los Angeles Verbum Dei boys’ basketball team didn’t let the departure of its best player get in the way of its goal to win a third consecutive Southern Section Division IV-A title.

The Eagles (18-9) accomplished that goal at Loyola Marymount on Thursday night with a 73-48 victory over second-seeded La Canada Flintridge Prep, putting the transfer of 6-9 junior center Amir Johnson further from their thoughts.

Johnson transferred to Westchester shortly before the start of the season, setting in motion recruiting allegations that ultimately led to the ineligibility of Johnson this season and the banishment of the two-time state Division I champion Comets from the postseason.

“We went through a heck of a lot this season,” Verbum Dei Coach DeAnthony Langston said. “People were trying to tear us down for whatever reason.”

Mike Pagan scored 20 points and Matt Shaw had 15 to lead the Eagles. Tim Mercer scored 20 to lead Flintridge Prep (19-9).

Palos Verdes Estates Rolling Hills Prep 79, Granada Hills Hillcrest Christian 70 -- Jason Daley scored 39 points to lead the top-seeded Huskies to their third consecutive Division V-AA title.

Daley, a 5-10 senior guard, made 16 of 25 shots and grabbed 10 rebounds, helping Rolling Hills Prep (18-7)) to a 19-point lead after three quarters. Courtney Beach scored 10 of his 17 points in the third quarter to help the Huskies to a 23-14 advantage in the third quarter.

Steve Flores scored 13 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter, and Darryl Sindon had 11 of his 18 to help the Eagles (21-8) cut into the deficit.

L.A. Price 86, Lancaster Antelope Valley Christian 31 -- The top-seeded Knights posted the largest margin of victory ever in a Southern Section boys’ basketball final.

Thirteen players scored for Price (21-7), which won its sixth consecutive Division V-A title. Darren Morrison scored 20 points, and Schuyler McKay had 17 points and 11 rebounds for the Knights, who used their height advantage to outrebound third-seeded Antelope Valley Christian, 61-24, including 23-4 on the offensive end.

The previous largest margin of victory came in 1995, when Santa Ana Mater Dei defeated La Puente Nogales, 83-33, in a Division I-A final.

Santa Maria St. Joseph 73, Playa del Rey St. Bernard 60 -- The top-seeded Knights closed the game with a 13-4 run to secure the Division IV-AA title.

Joe Tilley scored six of his 26 points and Stewart Kussler had seven of his 22 points in the fourth quarter for St. Joseph (27-3).

Nonso Nibo scored 18 points for unseeded St. Bernard (20-11), which trailed, 40-28, at the half.