Boys’ basketball: Sophomore duo at Oak Park is just getting started

When the duo of 6-foot-8 Riley Battin and point guard Wes Slajchert showed up at Oak Park last season as freshmen, there was genuine excitement and predictions that they could take the basketball program on quite an exciting journey.

It has just begun. Oak Park is 25-6 and playing Bonita in the 3AA championship game on Saturday at 4 p.m. at Honda Center.

Battin and Slajchert are living up to expectations and more.

Battin is averaging 23.5 points and 14.2 rebounds. Slajchert is averaging 11.4 points and 6.0 assists.

The Oak Park-Bonita game is the game prior to the 6:30 p.m. Open Division final between Chino Hills and Sierra Canyon, so early arriving fans will get the opportunity to see two outstanding young players with lots of potential.

“We got to put on the show before the show,” Oak Park Coach Aaron Shaw said.

Bonita, at 25-5, will be a formidable opponent. It has its own top young talent in 6-2 junior point guard Joe Quintana, who scored 38 points in an upset win over Ayala.

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