Bass’ Big Game Powers Centennial

Corona Centennial sophomore running back Ryan Bass, in only his second varsity start, rushed for 401 yards and scored six touchdowns in 42 carries Thursday night to lead the Huskies, ranked No. 11 in the Southland by The Times, to a 49-47 victory over No. 23 Rancho Cucamonga at Centennial High.

Bass, who took over last week for injured starter Tracy Johnson, nearly broke the team record of 416 yards set by Terrell Jackson in 2003. He also came two touchdowns short of Jackson’s team record, set in a 57-55 triple overtime victory over Riverside North in the 2002 Southern Section Division V final.

Bass scored on runs of 44, five and 85 yards in the first half to help Centennial (3-1) to a 28-27 lead.

Rancho Cucamonga (3-1) stayed close by returning two kickoffs for touchdowns and G Pittman returned an interception 95 yards for another score.

Arteze Spicer’s 77-yard kickoff return with 2:45 remaining cut the Cougars’ deficit to 49-47. Rancho Cucamonga then forced Centennial to punt, but could only advance to the Huskies’ 38-yard line.

-- Dan Arritt

The game scheduled for tonight between Oak Park and host Westlake Village Oaks Christian has been canceled because of the fires in Ventura County.

Other games that could be affected are the Marmonte League games in the Conejo and Simi valleys.

Decisions on those games will be made this morning.

Girls’ Volleyball

Manhattan Beach Mira Costa, ranked second in the nation by prepvolleyball.com, will try to avenge its only loss when the Mustangs travel to Chicago to play today and Saturday in the Mother McAuley/Nike Challenge. Top-ranked Louisville (Ky.) Assumption defeated Mira Costa (9-1) for the Las Vegas Durango tournament title two weeks ago.

The Mustangs are coming off a victory over Huntington Beach Edison in which 6-foot-3 middle blocker Lindsay Gardner made her season debut following shoulder surgery this summer.

Newport Harbor is the other Southland school in the 24-team tournament, and the Sailors will face Assumption in pool play.

“If we play our best, we can beat anyone,” Mira Costa setter Taylor Carico said. “Assumption played an awesome match against us. But I don’t think their team can play any better than they did last time, and now I think it’s our turn.”

-- Lauren Peterson