Renaissance Academy Boys’ Varsity Basketball Floors Skyward Christian

The Renaissance Academy boys’ varsity basketball team broke up a close game against visiting Tujunga Skyward Christian on Tuesday night and went on to win 72-54 in the CIF Southern Section Division V-A quarterfinals.

The Wildcats, who won the American league with an 8-0 mark, upped their overall record to 22-4. Skyward Christian, which tied for second in the Omega League, finished 21-5 overall.

Renaissance Academy will face Palm Springs Desert Chapel in a semifinal away contest tomorrow (Friday) at 7:30 p.m.

The Saints held their own against the Wildcats, leading 16-15 at the end of the first quarter and were behind only one point, 32-31, at the half.

Renaissance exploded for 21 points in the third quarter, while holding Skyward to six points. The Saints never recovered and couldn’t score enough points in the fourth quarter to catch up.

The Wildcats’ Justin Cook led all scorers with 22 points, including three 3-point baskets, and also had four assists. Shane Jones was right behind with 21 points and contributed three blocked shots.

Josh Thomas added 12 points, including one 3-pointer, five assists and four steals. Archie Robb chipped in nine points, including two 3-pointers, and six assists. Hector Harold came through with eight points.

Skyward Christian topped Twin Pines, 69-32, in first round play on Feb. 15 and beat Wildwood, 66-46, in second round action last Friday.

Earlier, four members of the Renaissance Academy boys’ varsity basketball team scored in double figures against visiting Marywood-Palm Valley last Friday night in a Division V-A second round game and wound up winning, 78-42.

Renaissance Academy had a first round bye while Marywood-Palm Valley, which took second in the Majestic League, defeated Big Pine, 53-49, in first round play on Feb. 15. Marywood-Palm Valley finished 13-9 overall.

In the Marywood contest, the Wildcats led 16-7 at the end of the first quarter, 42-17 at the half and 70-25 after three quarters.

Renaissance’s Cook was the top scorer of the game with 21 points, including two 3-point baskets. Other Wildcats who scored in double figures were Harold with 15 points, Jones with 14 points and Thomas with 12 points.

Also contributing were Robb with eight points, Tremaine Tatum with six points and Henry Shin with two points.