BOYS' BASKETBALL: Loyola defeats Alemany, 82-69

It is safe to say contests in the Mission League will be outstanding this year.

Loyola and Alemany gave fans at the championship game of the Santa Monica tournament a preview of what is to come in an exciting 82-69 Loyola victory.

Sophomore point guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright, who went to middle school at Sierra Canyon, scored 20 points and had a key steal down the stretch to lead the Cubs (8-0).

Julian Harrell scored 13 points, Jacob Hazzard scored 12 points and Justin Childress added 10 points for Loyola, ranked in the top 3 in the state by most publications.

Max Guercy scored 24 points and Nevada-bound guard Marqueze Coleman scored 17 points to lead Alemany (3-1).

The Warriors (3-1) came out blazing in the early going, racing to an 11-point lead.

Guercy had 11 points and it seemed the fresher legs would be a huge asset for Alemany.

Loyola won the Redondo Union tournament championship last week and was playing its eighth game of the season.

The Cubs would not be deterred, and used an impressive 31-13 second quarter run to take control, and never look back.

Jackson-Cartwright and Hazzard each made several baskets in the quarter to give Loyola an 11-point lead at halftime.

"We just let them back in it with uncontested shots," Guercy said. "We also rushed our shots and didn't get to the free throw line."

Guercy made a 3-pointer with 5:13 remaining to get Alemany within eight points and the lead was still eight when Jackson-Cartwright converted on a 3-point play with 3:03 remaining to stretch the lead, again.

Hazzard buried a 3-pointer with 1:13 remaining, and Jackson-Cartwright came up with a steal at halfcourt to seal it.

Sophomore Rahzaun "Bear" Henderson scored 16 points for Alemany.

St. John's coach Steve Lavin was in the crowd looking at several players from both schools.