Bonita’s Dane Hollar, center, grabs a rebound against Pioneer in Thursday’s Blue Pride Classic tournament game at Pioneer High School. (Keith Birmingham/ Staff Photographer)

By Eric Terrazas, SGVN
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WHITTIER – Strong outside shooting lifted Bonita High School to a 68-40 victory over Pioneer in Thursday’s pool-play game of the 19th Annual Blue Pride Classic boys basketball tournament at Pioneer High School.

The Bearcats (3-1) successfully connected from 3-point land 12 times. Brian Mahood scored 22 points to pace Bonita, which finished in third place in its pool.

Bonita will play Hawthorne at 6 p.m. today at El Rancho High School.

“It was the first game we actually shot the ball well,” Bonita coach Greg Eckler said. “That was the big difference. In the previous games, we shot the ball poorly. (On Thursday), we found our stroke.”

Courtney Ahamnisi recorded 12 points to pace the Titans (3-1), who will face El Segundo at 3 p.m. today at El Rancho. Pioneer took fourth place in its pool.

“Bonita shot the ball really well (on Thursday),” Pioneer coach Greg Gilmore said. “We couldn’t rebound. They killed us on the boards. I don’t think we played terrible defense – Bonita just made tough shots.”

Mahood made six 3-pointers to pace the Bearcats’ outside shooting attack. Riley Brungard also played a key role, by successfully converting from 3-point territory four times.