La Serna’s Daniel Canales (21) and Cedric Sobers (34) celebrate their win against Whittier at La Serna High School in Whittier on Wednesday January 11, 2017. La Serna defeated Whittier 54-43. (Photo by Keith Durflinger/Whittier Daily News/SCNG)

WHITTIER — If the opening game of the Del Rio League boys basketball season between La Serna and Whittier high schools is any indication of things to come, then it’s going to be exciting.
The last time Whittier was in the La Serna gym, the Cardinals were celebrating a league championship and the Lancers weren’t about to let them win two straight games.
Junior forward Cedric Sobers made sure of that with a game-high 25 points and led the Lancers to a hard-fought, 54-43, victory.
Senior guard Walter Franco had 15 points for the Lancers (15-2, 1-0). He had nine in the third quarter.
Alex Rodriguez, who had three 3-pointers, had 21 points for the Cardinals (11-6, 0-1).
The first quarter was low scoring as the Lancers held a 9-4 lead, with both teams missing on numerous shots.
The Lancers started the second quarter with an 8-0 run to take a 17-4 lead. Whittier played the Lancers even, 7-7, the rest of the way. Rodriquez hit a long-range shot at the buzzer to trail, 24-11.
Sobers led all scorers with 17 in the opening half, 12 of which came in the second quarter.
The third quarter saw the Cardinals climb to within eight points at 38-30.
Rodriguez picked up his fourth foul late in the third quarter, but didn’t affect his play.
Whittier climbed to within seven points, 46-39, with 3:21 left in the game but were outscored, 8-4, the rest of the way.
La Serna coach Marino Angulo: “The Del Rio League is extremely competitive and I think there are three or four teams that can compete. As for Cedric he played great and defended well.”
La Serna’s Cedric Sobers: “There was a lot of nerves in the first quarter, but we didn’t want to fall to them, of all teams. This is one of our best starts and we haven’t won a championship here in a while, but there is a lot more games to be played.”
Whittier’s Alex Rodriguez: “I felt like my teammates helped me with my defense in the fourth quarter and I didn’t have to play ultra-aggressive.”
— John Sherrard
OTHER SCORES
Del Rey League
Bishop Montgomery 74, Cantwell-Sacred Heart of Mary 39
Del Rio League
Pioneer 81, Cal 75
Santa Fe 74, El Rancho 35
Santa Fe League
St. Paul 56, Bosco Tech 32
Suburban League
La Mirada 79, Artesia 44