Alemany’s Marqueze Coleman comes on strong at Fairfax Classic

“You look like Reggie Miller,” a fan in the bleachers at Fairfax High shouted in the third quarter on Saturday when Alemany’s Marqueze Coleman was launching and making a flurry of three-pointers against Santa Monica in a game of the Fairfax State Preview Classic.

Coleman had four three-pointers in the quarter, seven in the game, and finished with 36 points to help the Warriors improve to 20-3 with an 80-69 victory.

The 6-foot-4 Coleman, a Nevada signee, has become quite an offensive force thanks to improved strength.

“He put in time and energy like no other,” Coach Tray Meeks said. “The weight room is where he’s made the most improvement. Taking contact and scoring, it’s strength. You got to have strong legs to shoot deep. He’s stronger and more confident.”

Coleman didn’t get to start on Saturday, because he was late to a team function, but his development this season, combined with the standout play of point guard Max Guercy, explains why Alemany has a two-game lead in the Mission League. Guercy had 20 points and 10 assists.

The underrated Guercy is starting to attract college interest, with Utah and Georgia Tech taking time to watch him play. “I think he’s been phenomenal,” Meeks said.

Jordan Mathews scored 26 points for Santa Monica (14-8).

Los Angeles Loyola 92, Orange Lutheran 84: Jacob Hazzard made five three-pointers and finished with 23 points to lead the Cubs (18-3), who had six players reach double figures in scoring.

Loyola received strong games off the bench from Brendan Boken (12 points) and Trey Mason (12). Parker Cartwright finished with 15 points.

Orange Lutheran (14-7), which held a 52-50 halftime lead, got 25 points from Gabe York, 22 from Darien Williams and 18 from Payton Banks.

Studio City Harvard-Westlake 62, Torrey Pines 60: Harvard-Westlake received a double dose of good news on Saturday. The Wolverines (14-7) got a game-winning basket from Derick Newton with two seconds left. And Utah-bound Josh Hearlihy, sidelined for 14 games because of a knee injury, returned to make three three-point shots in the fourth quarter.

“It was good to be back,” Hearlihy said.

Garrett Galvin scored 33 points for Torrey Pines.

L.A. Price 65, L.A. Windward 41: After trailing by three points at halftime, Price (17-5) outscored the Wildcats, 26-5, in the third quarter to win its sixth consecutive game.

The defensive impact made by 6-foot-8 center Skylar Spencer with his ability to block shots and intimidate has been key during Price’s winning streak. Chance Murray had 14 points, Jaquan Green 13 and Spencer 10.

Gardena Serra 50, Fairfax 40: Kajon Mack scored 16 points to lead the Cavaliers (21-2).

In other games, Oceanside El Camino defeated La Canada, 55-48, in overtime, and San Diego Francis Parker defeated Sherman Oaks Notre Dame, 46-29.

eric.sondheimer@latimes.com