Boys’ basketball: Sierra Canyon turns in dominating performance

Leaving little doubt that it’s on a trajectory to be part of the Southern Section Open Division playoffs as one of the top 16 teams in Southern California, Chatsworth Sierra Canyon improved to 20-2 on Tuesday night and finished the first half of the Alpha League with an unbeaten record by routing L.A. Windward, 69-54, at home.

Sierra Canyon’s big men, led by 6-foot-8 freshman Cody Riley, were more physical, and Windward (15-6, 4-1) never offered a serious threat.

Riley had 17 points and 12 rebounds. Point guard Devearl Ramsey contributed seven assists and made an off-balance shot at the end of the third quarter that would have won him a game of H-O-R-S-E against anybody.

Only in the third quarter, when the Trailblazers briefly lost focus, did Windward close to within nine points.

“We have to get rid of those mental errors,” Coach Ty Nichols said of the third-quarter breakdown.

But he added about his team that starts three freshmen: “They’re coming. They’re gaining confidence.”

Freshman Jalen Harris had a terrific game for Windward, scoring 25 points.

In another Alpha League game, Brentwood defeated Viewpoint, 63-53. Maxwell Kupchak scored 21 points and Tra Holder 20. Campbell Hall defeated Paraclete, 83-50. Kahlil Simplis scored 26 points and Aaron Holiday had 25.

Eric.sondheimer@latimes.com