Boys basketball: Cantwell wins Cardinal Classic
Hi should have this up earlier, but he's the story of Cantwell winning its tournament on Saturday:
By John Sherrard, Correspondent
MONTEBELLO - The Cantwell Sacred Heart High School boys basketball team is in uncharted territory these days.
Cantwell defeated Ocean View of Huntington Beach, 87-76, in overtime Saturday night in the championship game of the Cardinal Classic.
It is the first time the Cardinals have won their own tournament. They are off to a 9-0 start.
Sophomore guard Joe Covarrubias, who had 22 points, scored nine points in the extra period, including a 3-pointer to put the Cardinals up by six early. Ocean View was never able to recover.
"It (win) feels really good and it's the first time we have won our own tournament," Covarrubias said.
School officials cannot remember the last time the Cardinals started off without a loss nine games into the season.
The Cardinals have turned their fortunes around after last year's 2-25 record.
Junior Jose Estrada, who was named the tournament MVP., finished with 47 points.
"It was probably one of the most intense games I've ever been a part of," first-year coach George Zedan said. "I'm so happy for our kids, our program and for our school. We were a definite underdog and Ocean View (6-3) has a lot of history behind them. To tell you the truth, I was terrified to play them."
Cantwell's first-half pressure defense and Estrada's 26 points put the Seahawks in a 39-30 hole at halftime.
Ocean View's only lead in the first half was the first basket of the game. Cantwell
outscored the Seahawks, 16-6, the rest of the first quarter, led by Estrada's 11 points.
The Seahawks outscored Cantwell in the third quarter to come within three, 54-51. Guard Tyler Burch (26 points) led the way with two baskets beyond the 3-point arc and senior guard Robbie Weaver (17 points) and forward Christian Rivera had five points each. In overtime, senior guard Jacob Alaniz (15 points) hit an early 3-pointer to put Cantwell up by five, 76-71.
In consolation games on Saturday, Huntington Park defeated Whittier Christian, 63-52; Los Altos defeated Montebello, 45-34; and South Pasadena defeated Whittier, 70-57 in the seventh-place game.
Graydon Witt (Whittier Christian), Hector Martinez (Montebello) and Damian Salcedo (Whittier) were all selected to the all-tournament team.
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Steve Ramirez is the prep sports editor for the Whittier Daily News.
Are the Cardinals for real? I didn't think so until they beat Ocean View. Ocean View is a pretty good team. Lets see how they do against St. Bernards come league.
Wow, what a great bunch of people over there at Cantwell Sacred Heart high school. It's so good to see the early success this season for this team. Best start in years!!!
Basketball people should get on over there and catch a game. Junior Jose Estrada is a Baller!!!!!!!! Boy, can he just crash the middle and score at will. Get on out there and see this team. Should be a fun run this season.