Stayin' Alive: Chatsworth, Sierra Canyon Ready For State Hoops Matchups

With nine section titles and two state titles, Harvard-Westlake High is the king of basketball in the San Fernando Valley.

But tonight underdog Chatsworth looks to overtake the throne. The Chancellors (26-9) face the much-taller Wolverines at 7 p.m. with everything on the line in the second round of the CIF State Div. III playoffs.

Chatsworth won the City Section Division III championship Saturday -- the first in school history -- followed by a state win over Palm Springs on Tuesday. Harvard-Westlake (28-4) won the more prestigious Southern Section Div. III championship Saturday, followed by a state win Tuesday over Garfield of L.A. – a team that Chatsworth had defeated in Saturday’s final.

Tonight Chatsworth must contend with Harvard-Westlake impressive front line of 6-foot-8 Zena Edosomwan, 6-7 Damiene Cain and 6-7 Josh Hearlihy.

“They have what we don’t have, and that’s size. They have eight players taller than our tallest player,” Chatsworth coach Scott Switalla said. “That will be a challenge for us, but they don’t have as many consistent shooters as us. It should be a lot of fun.”

It’s an intriguing showdown in terms of contrasting styles, as Harvard-Westlake prefers a half-court game and lots of passes inside. Chatsworth is more run-and-gun, and the explosive threesome of Derrick Hector, Terrell Funches and Jason Monje can score points in bunches.

That said, if Chatsworth can pull this out, it will undoubtedly will be the biggest basketball win in the school’s 48-year history.

“I expect to win the game. We just have to able to handle the pressure, and I hope so,” Switalla said. “They’ve got the size, so we just have to make sure to get a bunch of easy looks. We’ve got to make sure we rebound well.”

Chatsworth has won seven in a row and does not want the ride to end.

“My thoughts on Harvard-Westlake, they’re a good team,” Funches said. “They are where they are, one of the best teams in the state. They’re big, and they hit the boards hard, but if we play our game, we can come up with an upset win. They’re big, but we just have to swing the ball around, get some looks, knock down shots. We don’t take these kids lightly, but it will hurt us if we play soft.”

While Harvard-Westlake has a sterling record, the Wolverines have been upset a few times this season, and they’ve been a shaky at times over the past two victories.

“We’re playing excellent, and that’s because we’ve all come together,” Funches said. “We’ve come up with some good wins down the stretch.”

Meanwhile, Sierra Canyon, top-seeded in Div. V, has been idle since Friday, waiting to begin state competition after defeating Montclair Prep on Friday in the Southern Section Division V-A championship. The Trailblazers (25-5) face Fresno Christian (12-17) tonight at Chatsworth High.

“It was kind of nice having a little break,” coach Ryan Silver said. “We’re just excited and trying to focus on the next goal.”

Sierra Canyon has made one other state appearance, losing by 47 points last season to Foothills Christian.

Sliver took over this season, and Sierra Canyon welcomed impact transfer Jahmel Taylor from Notre Dame, plus freshmen starters Marsalis Johnson and Bryan Alberts, two youngsters with national reputations on the travel-ball circuit.

Taylor averages 21.6 points while shooting 38 percent on 3-pointers, while Johnson averages 11.8 and 7.1 rebounds, and Alberts averages 11.4 points.

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL

CIF STATE PLAYOFFS

Second round, 7 p.m. tonight

Div. III

Chatsworth (26-9) at Harvard-Westlake (28-4)

Coaches: Scott Switalla, Chatsworth; Greg Hilliard, Harvard-Westlake

Nicknames: Chatsworth Chancellors; Harvard-Westlake Wolverines

Players to watch: Derrick Hector, Chatsworth; Terrell Funches, Chatsworth; Jason Monje, Chatsworth; Damiene Cain, Harvard-Westlake; Zena Edosowman, Harvard-Westlake.

Div. V

Sierra Canyon (25-5) vs. Fresno Christian (12-17) at Chatsworth High

Coaches: Ryan Silver, Sierra Canyon; Josh Justin, Fresno Christian

Nicknames: Sierra Canyon Trailblazers; Fresno Christian Eagles

Players to watch: Jahmel Taylor, Sierra Canyon; Marsalis Johnson, Sierra Canyon; Cooper Belmont, Fresno Christian.