LA MIRADA >> La Mirada High School’s path to at least a share of its third consecutive Suburban League boys basketball title was pretty simple in theory for the final two weeks of the season.
The Matadores had to sweep rivals Cerritos and Mayfair at home this week, then take care of business in their other two remaining league games and hope Cerritos could beat Mayfair at home next week, which would force a three-way tie for the crown.
La Mirada finished off step one Wednesday.
Nick Colosi scored 18 points and Shemar Morrow had 17 points and 12 rebounds to lead the host Matadores to a 66-46 victory over Mayfair at La Mirada High.
Brian Askew also had 10 points for La Mirada (20-5, 8-2). The Matadores defeated Cerritos 63-57 on Monday.
Caleb Christopher had nine points and Kameron Small 8 for Mayfair (13-10, 8-1).
La Mirada, after losing to Mayfair 70-65 on Jan. 18, made sure it would get some revenge after shooting 64 percent from the floor in the first half to lead 37-22. The Matadores opened the second quarter with a 12-7 surge before closing with a 9-3 run for a 15-point advantage at the break following a Josh Calvin putback at the buzzer.
La Mirada opened the third quarter with a 10-2 blitz, taking a 47-24 lead on a 3-pointer by Askew at 4:59.
But Mayfair wasn’t going quietly. The Monsoons responded to finish the quarter with a 10-0 surge to pull within 47-34 on a Kyle Small 3-pointer at 1:33.
But La Mirada countered with a 13-4 run to begin the fourth, getting three inside baskets by Colosi and a turnaround by Morrow to get it to 60-38 with 4:25 remaining.
La Mirada’s Nick Colosi: “We had a lot more intensity (Wednesday). We really wanted it. We were hungry for the win. We just came together and played together. We came out (in the first half) and really attacked. We played great ‘D’ and that let to easy transition buckets.”
La Mirada coach Bryce Jones: “It gives us a chance. I guess we’re rooting for Cerritos now. It’s not very often we say that, but we have a chance now. We put ourselves in position to have a chance. It was out of our hands with our two losses (to Mayfair and Cerritos earlier), but it’s the best we can ask for.”
— Stephen Ramirez
OTHER SCORES
BOYS
Del Rio League
La Serna 66, Cal 43
El Rancho 58, Pioneer 56
Santa Fe 48, Whittier 40
Freeway League
Sonora 76, La Habra 37
Santa Fe League
St. Paul 53, Mary Star 42
GIRLS
Del Rio League
El Rancho 60, Pioneer 27
Cal 45, La Serna 40
Whittier 42, Santa Fe 30
Freeway League
Sonora 73, La Habra 36
Suburban League
Mayfair 45, La Mirada 40