El Camino Real dethrones Westchester to win City Division I title
The sequel turned out to be just as exciting as the original, but it featured a different ending.
After last year’s memorable meeting in the City Section Division I boys’ basketball championship game, Westchester and Woodland Hills El Camino Real returned to the same court for the rematch Saturday night at L.A. Southwest College.
Under first-year Coach Joe Wyatt, the second-seeded Conquistadores took an eight-point lead into the fourth quarter and hung on for a 58-56 victory that avenged last season’s six-point defeat.
El Camino Real made six free throws in the final 30 seconds, including two by Maleke Haynes with 11.6 seconds left, to clinch the win. Haynes finished with 13 points.
Evan Wardlow led El Camino Real (25-6) with 15 points. Julian Richardson had 13 points and 11 rebounds for the Conquistadores, who allowed the game’s first five points and trailed 12-10 after the first quarter.
Elijah Stewart had 29 points, including a three-pointer that cut Westchester’s deficit to 54-52 with 26 seconds left, and Layon Gooden added seven points for the top-seeded, defending-champion Comets (28-6), who were vying for their 13th City title under Coach Ed Azzam. But Myles Stewart was held to six points for Westchester.
Both teams could be given berths in the state Open Division playoffs. Seedings will be released today.
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