A wild, delirious roar got here from of Tajh Ariza on Friday evening after his dunk with no time left on the clock began a joyous victory celebration for Westchester Excessive. It was a 65-55 overcome Chatsworth that gave the Comets their sixteenth Metropolis Part basketball title earlier than a sold-out crowd of greater than 1,800 at L.A. Southwest Faculty.
“That is huge. No one believed in us,” mentioned Ariza, who completed with 19 factors and made key assists within the fourth quarter to assist No. 2-seeded Westchester (22-9) to win the Open Division championship over the No. 1-seeded Chancellors (22-8).
The sport attracted a big crowd as a result of the sport’s two standout gamers have been the sons of former NBA gamers, and every had memorable moments. Alijah Arenas struggled at occasions along with his shot, making just one for eight within the third quarter, when Westchester opened a nine-point lead. He completed with 33 factors with Ariza guarding him a lot of the second half.
“I don’t really feel I did my greatest,” Arenas mentioned. “I felt we may have completed higher collectively.”
Ariza was 4 for 4 on free throws within the fourth quarter when Chatsworth picked up two technicals within the remaining 1:33, one for hanging on the rim and one other for a participant shedding his cool. These errors blocked any Chatsworth comeback bid.
Ariza, the son of former Westchester, UCLA and NBA standout Trevor Ariza, got here to Westchester making an attempt to deliver again the Comet magic. His father gained 4 Metropolis titles from 2000-2003. Westchester’s coach, Dewitt Cotton, was an assistant then. Cotton succeeded Corridor of Fame coach Ed Azzam, who gained all 15 of the Metropolis titles.
It was a Cotton timeout with 6:55 left within the third quarter that proved to be a decisive second. The rating was tied 28-28. He yelled within the huddle for his gamers to recollect to play as a staff after a number of unhealthy pictures.
“It was good. It introduced us collectively,” mentioned Jordan Ballard, who scored 15 factors.
Westchester went on an 11-1 run.
Westchester misplaced to Chatsworth in its season opener 59-55, so this was a redemption recreation for the Comets. Ariza and Arenas have recognized one another for a very long time and their competitiveness was on show.
“It was enjoyable. A terrific matchup. That’s my canine,” Ariza mentioned.
Each colleges will likely be concerned within the Southern California Regional playoffs that start subsequent week. Pairings will likely be introduced Sunday afternoon.
