Boys’ basketball: Who saw Birmingham, Westchester, Narbonne advancing to Redondo semifinals?

It’s two games into the high school basketball season, and the City Section is earning lots of respect.

Birmingham became the third team from the City Section to advance to Friday’s semifinals of the Redondo tournament, knocking off No. 6-rated Santa Margarita, 76-73, on Tuesday night.

Earlier in the day, Westchester defeated No. 5 Long Beach Poly in overtime, 77-72, and Narbonne defeated Redondo in overtime, 64-57.

Birmingham’s win might be the best one of all. Santa Margarita, expected to challenge Mater Dei in the Trinity League with all its size and experience, struggled against the Patriots’ quickness.

All-City guards Devante Doutrive and Deschon Winston put on a show. Doutrive scored 27 points and Winston had 17. Junior Devonaire Doutrive had 14 points. And Mark Boland hit two critical threes in the fourth quarter to shut down Santa Margarita’s comeback bid.

Birmingham held a 44-33 halftime lead. Kaden Rasheed led Santa Margarita with 22 points.

In Friday’s semifinals, it will be Narbonne taking on Birmingham at 6:30 p.m., followed by Westchester vs. Eastvale Roosevelt at 8 p.m.

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