Boys’ basketball: Battle of La Canada is set for Friday
La Canada and St. Francis are located right next to each other. Now they get to meet in a 3A semifinal basketball playoff game on Friday night. Either team could walk to the other’s gym with no problem.
The game will be played at Maranatha High in Pasadena to handle the expected large crowd for the battlle of La Canada.
Most intriguing is that St. Francis Coach Jeff Stephens was a longtime assistant coach to La Canada’s Tom Hofman. In fact, Hofman attended Stephens’ wedding 25 years ago (I hope Stevens still has the wedding present). Stephens left La Canada to become coach at St. Francis six years ago. Also coaching at St. Francis is former La Canada assistant Ray O’Brien.
“It will be a great game for the community,” Stephens said.
The two schools met in the Monrovia tournament earlier this season, with St. Francis winning, 58-51.
Both teams rely on their guard play. St. Francis has junior Kyle Leufroy. La Canada sophomore Koko Kurdoghlian is known for his three-point shooting.
Whatever happens, everyone in La Canada should enjoy the game.
“It’s going to be a lot of fun,” Stephens said.
The other semifinal matches Santa Barbara and Oak Park.
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