BHoops: LeDuc becomes Mr. 700
Glendora High School has been the face of Valley basketball for more than two decades.
The Tartans' rosters have featured a who's who of the area's best, whether it be Tracy Murray in the 1980s, Cameron Murray and Casey Jacobsen during the 1990s and Davon Roberts, Dominic Tiger-Cortes and Kos Russell this decade.
But the one constant has been coach Mike LeDuc and Wednesday night the Valley's most-successful mentor scored a magical number.
Russell had a game-high 21 points and senior center Brian Downard had 10 points and 11 rebounds as LeDuc earned his 700th career victory with Glendora's 49-37 victory over visiting Diamond Bar in a key Sierra League game.
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Above Glendora coach Mike LeDuc, looking for win No. 700 tonight
Results of those who called in scores
Sierra League
Glendora 49, Diamond Bar 37
Chino Hills 67, Damien 52
Ayala 87, Chino 49
Miramonte League
Diamond Ranch 64, Bonita 55
Del Rey League
Bishop Montgomery 57, Bishop Amat 49
Mission Valley League
South El Monte 61, El Monte 42
Mountain View 64, Arroyo 63, 2OT
Montview League
Sierra Vista 75, Bassett 44
San Antonio League
Nogales 70, Walnut 61
Rowland 63, West Covina 53
Valle Vista
Northview 76, San Dimas 74
Baldwin Park 71, Pomona 50
Nonleague
South Hills 65, Los Altos 55
But more importantly, Glendora remained in the hunt for a league title after improving to 19-6 overall and 6-1 in league play. Diamond Bar, getting 12 points from senior Joel Baez, slipped to 15-10 and 4-3.
"I'm so appreciative of all my assistant coaches for all these years," said LeDuc, who received a standing ovation from the crowd after the game. "They've been awesome, and made me look good, and they deserve an awful lot of the credit."
The Tartans also made LeDuc look good Wednesday, coming up with another solid defensive effort.
Glendora, which held Damien to 30 percent shooting in a 54-40 victory last week, did the same to Diamond Bar, which made just 15 of 43 shots.
"We've been playing really good defense for quite a while," LeDuc said.
The Brahmas, who had won five consecutive games, looked early on like they might spoil the celebration. Diamond Bar, which also received nine points from Terrin Clark and 8 from Kacy Barlow, kept it close early before using back-to-back baskets by Baez for a 17-13 lead late in the second quarter.
But then Russell, who didn't score in the first quarter, broke free. He hit consecutive 15-footers to give Glendora a 20-19 edge with 38 seconds left in the half before he blocked an inside shot that led to an easy layup by the senior for a 22-19 advantage with 14 seconds left in the half.
Russell, who had 12 points in the second half, then pushed it to 24-19 on a 16-footer to begin the third quarter before he turned a Diamond Bar turnover into an easy deuce for a 30-23 lead with 1:05 left in the quarter.
"We were really passive and tentative (during) the first half," said LeDuc, whose team hosts Chino Hills on Friday in a battle for first place. "We got more aggressive in the second half. I was really pleased that we got a lot more aggressive and more comfortable in the second half, offensively."
Diamond Bar made several runs at the Tartans, but the closest the Brahmas could get was 38-31 with 4:25 remaining following a layup by Clark.
Downard then followed up a Russell miss with an easy tip-in to make it 40-31 with 2:49 to play before Juan Martinez followed a defensive stop with a 3-pointer to give Glendora a 43-31 edge with 2:39 left.
Russell and Brad Gatlin then combined on making six free throws to seal it.
steve.ramirez@sgvn.com
(626) 962-8811, Ext. 2296
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I was someone who used to bash LaDuc. After I have gotten a chance to get to know him personally, I found a soft spoken leader of men. We should all wish that our children could be influenced by this man. Congrats Coach!
coaching
Congrats to LeDuc. He's done well in his HS career.
I'll be @ Claremont tomorrow nite watching another edition of Etiwanda Runaway starring Perris Blackwell (C), DeRonn Scott (F/G), Jordan Finn (G), Tim Pendergraph (G), Christian Katuala (F), Broderick Hunter (F)...and Coach Kleck.
DR 16 15 14 20 -- 65
B 13 13 14 15 -- 55
DR: Cunningham 17, Adames 14, Justin Benson 11, Green 10, Johnson 10, Jamel Benson 3
B: Miller 19, Fassas 8, Abernathy 8, Northup 6, Brungard 6, Sandhu 5, Bennett 3
Overall Stats
FG: DR 22-45 (48.9%) Green 5-7, Cunningham 5-9...B 21-64 (32.8%) Miller 7-18, Northup 3-5.
3PT: DR 5-10 (50.0%) Justin Benson 3-4...B 7-28 (25.0%) Bennett 4-11.
FT: DR 16-20 (80.0%) Adames 7-8...B 6-9 (66.7%) Sandhu 3-4.
Assists: DR 7 (Johnson-3)...B 7 (Abernathy-4).
Steals: DR 7 (Adames-5)...B 4 (Bennett-3).
Blocked shots: DR 2 (Johnson, Green)...B 2 (Sandhu, Miller).
Total Rebounds: DR 32 (Cunningham-12)...B 30 (Miller-10).
Turnovers: DR 13 (Cunningham/Johnson/Adames/Richard Harris-3)...B 13 (Bennett-5).
Rick...the Daniel Day Lewis character was a very successful oilman with deep seeded horrific personal demons who destroyed everyone he loved in dpite of his wealth an power. He was a man capable of tremendously violent mood swings that left him steeped in his own private earthly hell with nothing for company but the four walls in his massive mansion.
The Great Le Duc is nothing like him and only a twisted mind would make such a comparison... even in jest.
Shame on you.
MK and FJ - Couln't have said it better myself. I have heard rumors about issues last year, but both games this year were excellent games both on the court and in the stands. It is a good rivalry that I hope will stay that way but nothing more.
Good luck to both DR and Bonita... Now represent the SGV well in the playoffs, should someone qualify to go further.
FJ - Very well said!
To Basic and all the Bonita fans, students, parents & staff you have to admit this rival between DR & Bonita has been and will be for years to come one of the best! I tip my hat to you and say thank you for your hospitality last night. It was a great atmosphere for such a game!!! Basic, don't take what I'm about to say to the offense....but as a parent of a senior on the DR team, I am glad it's OVER! No more Bonita!!!! That was it!!! It has been 4 years of absolute PAIN in the BUTT!!! We love the rival but I am glad it is OVER!!! I stood outside the gym last night and said "thank God NO MORE BONITA!!" and it may be over for the senior parents, but look out for next year's squad! They will be something to reckon with as well. I wanna just congrat our boys at DR for all of their hard work as a TEAM! I say to them stay focus and you can do this!!!
BONITA - DRanch
Great game. DRanch hit their outside shots Wednesday and that helped open things up for the big dude. They are indeed an athletic team & are rightfully ranked #1 in CIF in their division.
Bonita's Miller has a great jumper for a 6'7" guy and Bennett's 10 boards were big as well. The Bearcats will learn more from losing to DR than they will by pounding Los Altos and Wilson. So hopefully the gutty Bearcats will be tougher for it.
CIF is funny sometimes. DRanch knows well that winning the league doesn't get you anywhere once CIF starts. Bonita might still surprise.
But it was great to see two very talented teams, who happen to be in the same league fight it out.
Congrats also to Bonita for having the best looking cheerleaders. Wow.
DR - How many of those points came in the last 2 minutes...7? YES very important and he stepped up, I am not taking anything away from him but I meant overall or at least for the first 3 quarters, AND he did not have more at your home game by the way.
I do agree with the lack of basktball defensive knowledge, because you are right all night long they doubled and when he got the ball they trippled him, and he did a great job overall dishing back out.
It was a fun game nevertheless, maybe cause I am a Bonita parent and felt that we had a shot...Yes objectively DR controlled the game and they are bigger and more athelitic like I keep saying but the Bearcat shooters do have some range and IF they can up their percentage a bit, it will be another fun game to watch in the playoffs.
Again, nice win DR, although there were some kids @ the parking lot after the game (yes the non-atheletes) that were looking for trouble and that is not cool, this how the Fairfax/Westchester issues began until there were a few shootings (the reason i live here now), so I hope this NEVER happens around here. DR is building some great sport programs and something like that would be very hurtful to the school. That seemed like I was picking at DR which I am not by the way just meant in general cause we all know EVERY school has knuckle heads...
Good luck in the playoffs.
Congratulations Le Duc!!
Next up Chino Hills. We are ready for the battle!
Hey Basic - How can you say you did a good job on the big man for DR when he scored 17 and 11 boards in this game and even more at the game at the Ranch? Oh wait, I forgot about the 4 assists and 3 block shots.
Bonita tripled team the big all night and paid the piper because of it. This is a common defensive stance that most teams take with DR.
Once again, teams fail to understand that this is a TEAM in capital letters.
Go DR!
Wasn't at the game but heard that the Saints did a great job - unfortunately lost by 2. But everyone should remember that the Saints only have one senior starter this year! Fred, keep your eye on us over the next two years!
Walnut stinks
FJ...HAHAHA yeah I am the 30%er so doesn't that mean I WOULD understand?
DR did pretty much control the game although we did a great job on their big man (once again) but this causes problems for the rest of the team matchups. DR is bigger and more athelitic, like I said before, but Bonita was NOT manhandled, unless 1 little dunk is all it takes? cause you could say the opposite with the Bearcats and thier 5 big time REJECTIONS..So no it was not a man handling but yes DR did control the game. Nice win DR and hey Bearcats great learning experiance for the playoffs, work hard, stay decipline and we might see DR in the playoffs.
It was great to see a nice turnout though, reminds me of my ole days @ Fairfax, without the basktball knowledge of the crowd I mean.
Mike LeDuc stars in "There will be Blood 2" some dialogue from the story. Leduc "I drink your milkshake, I slurp it down, all 700 milkshakes" Opposing young coach (Hamlow) shivers and replies "I hear you Uncle Mike". Anyone see the resemblance between Le Duc and Daniel Day Lewis in that movie when the actor gets older?
Should be 65-55 if the board puncher paid attention.
I was in a UNC #5 jersey sitting in middle section close to courtside by yellow tape. Did any of you happen to notice me there haha.
Chino Hills 67
Damien 54
Not really that close.
Get ready for a war on Friday at Glendora.
The Bonita scoreboard guy(s) surely messed up in the 2nd quarter.
Diamond Ranch 64
Bonita 55
Basketball Fans
Can you tell me what the final score of Diamond Ranch @ Bonita game tonight.
Covina 54
Ganesha 39
Northview vs. San Dimas score anyone? Or any other Valle Vista League Scores?
stop going against DR please its getting old. DR is way to good for Bonita, and anyone in the area.
last night, workman had at least a share of the montview league title clinched, tonight the win got them the undesputed champions. but did i hear them even mention it? nope, the players had no idea. coach flores has them looking at the bigger picture instead of a little league title. good job coach flores! keep it up lobos.
Imma Believerrrrr,
Im in love......immmma believer I cant leave her if I triedddddd!!!!!
Fred, Fred....Were going to have to talk at the CIF championship game next year when we see Charter Oak again man....I think you are pulling reverse psychology on us. I know what your doing and its working....Your making them believers....I appreciate it Fred!!!
We are !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Bonita Cant play with D Ranch.DR is way more athletic then Bonita. Fred you are rediculous. keep going against us and you will keep being wrong. DR man handles bonita on there home court. the 6 foot 10 inch big man is to much for the bearcats. The dunk explains everything!
D Ranch
DIAMOND BAR Brahmas 37
GLENDORA Tartans 49
FINAL
DIAMOND RANCH Panthers ___
BONITA Bearcats ___
FINAL
NOGALES Nobles 70
WALNUT Mustangs 61
FINAL
WORKMAN Lobos 77
GLADSTONE Gladiators 49
FINAL
DIAMOND BAR Brahmas 37
GLENDORA Tartans 49
FINAL
DIAMOND RANCH Panthers ___
BONITA Bearcats ___
FINAL
NOGALES Nobles 70
WALNUT Mustangs 61
FINAL
WORKMAN Lobos 77
GLADSTONE Gladiators 49
FINAL
D-Ranch Beats Bonita in their house!!!!!!
Good game but D-Ranch had control the whole game..
Thanks again Fred for the great motivation
;)
Yea i noticed he forgot to put Nogales @ Walnut and West Covina @ Rowland.
Just waiting on the Rowland/WestCovina score.
Fred did you forget to mention the SAL?
Every league is up there but them
WORKMAN WINS... 77-49
WoW low scoring game.
Even though i dont follow Glendora congrats to him.
Glendora over Diamond Bar 49-37.
Congrats Coach.
Nogales Defeats Walnut 70-61.
Some questionable calls against nogales but they still manage to hold on..
GO NOBLES!!
wats the score to the bonita DR game
Dont trip DR fans, Diamond Bar gets no love from Fred either..haha
Basic, you wouldn't understand, afterall, aren't you the 30%-er?
Well said.
What more love should there be than ranking DR #1??? so he picks an upset tonight, Bonita is @ Home so it is possible.
Which ever way it goes, it should be a great game. Hopefully EVERYONE, specially the fans can show sportsmanship tonight.
Ofcourse I want Bonita to win tonight, but I can say DR is more atheletict and bigger but hopefully some home cooking, Poise and Patiance by the Bearcats will be enough to pull the UPSET. Say what you want DR, you know that a Bearcat visotry would be an upset.
Good luck Bearcats.
Fred, Fred, Fred, What have DR done to you. You show absolutely NO love!!! Don't stop now because YOU keep us humble. It's not about bragging rights and all the hoopla, it's about getting the job done with dignity, character and poise. It's about us showing that sportsmanship and respect is part of our game!!! I say to DR stay focused and play your game. Go to work, get the job done and come HOME! And then you can brag!
Fred,
Thanks again for the extra motivation!
Go DR!
Hmm, I'm sure it ain't GUAP!
No love for DR Fred? Didnt you pick Bonita last time these two teams met. What does it take to get your vote? Curious.