It was a shock when it occurred three years in the past. Alijah Arenas, destined for greatness within the basketball world, enrolled at Chatsworth Excessive as a freshman, turning down overtures from prime personal faculties searching for to generate publicity for luring the son of a former NBA participant with a excessive ceiling and speedy star high quality.
Trusting his dad and mom that he may study and blossom at a neighborhood public college the place nothing would come straightforward and double and triple groups can be the norm on the court docket, Arenas embraced the problem and ignored the annual rumors that he would possibly depart.
“Three years is crazy,” he stated. “I’ve come a long ways.”
Quick-forward to Tuesday evening within the Southern California Division II regional championship recreation at Chatsworth towards Bakersfield Christian. It was the ultimate house look for Arenas, who reclassified to the category of 2025 and dedicated to USC. His journey to develop, compete and mature earlier than everybody’s eyes at a Metropolis Part college has succeeded past anybody’s wildest creativeness. He’s the all-time main scorer in Metropolis historical past in simply three seasons.
Chatsworth defeated Bakersfield 66-51 to earn a visit to Sacramento to play within the state Division II championship recreation Saturday at 4 p.m. at Golden 1 Heart towards Jesuit, a 65-55 winner over Future Christian. Will probably be a becoming technique to finish Arenas’ profession.
The Arenas household gathers round Alijah Arenas.
(Craig Weston)
Arenas scored 23 factors and acquired plenty of assist. Aaron Krueger scored 11 factors, V’Elijah Miller and Tekeio Phillips had 10 factors apiece and Taj Unuakhalu added 15 rebounds and 4 blocks. The advance of Arenas’ supporting solid has been key to Chatsworth’s enchancment.
Now Chatsworth will get to return to Sacramento, the place Arenas scored 44 factors in final yr’s Division IV remaining.
“I love the arena,” he stated.
His father, Gilbert, wished him to discover ways to lead a workforce not surrounded by all-stars. The advance of the Chatsworth gamers round Arenas has been startling in comparison with final yr. The belief degree has elevated. Arenas is aware of others can rating, rebound and assist the workforce win.
Eastvale Roosevelt 79, Sherman Oaks Notre Dame 76: The Mustangs (34-2) earned a spot within the state Open Division championship recreation Saturday towards 29-1 Riordan. Brayden Burries scored 37 factors, Issac Williamson had 21 factors and Myles Walker had 10 factors and 10 assists. Tyran Stokes had 23 factors and 14 rebounds and NaVorro Bowman Jr. 19 factors for Notre Dame.
Sierra Canyon 74, Redondo Union 68: The Trailblazers superior to Friday’s Division I state championship recreation towards Stockton Lincoln. Gavin Hightower scored 25 factors and Maximo Adams had 22 factors. Hudson Mayes led Redondo Union with 19 factors.
San Gabriel Academy 58, Maranatha 49: Mahamadou Diop will get a visit to Sacramento to play within the Division III remaining after scoring 16 factors and getting 16 rebounds and 7 blocks.
Women
Etiwanda 67, Ontario Christian 62: By no means rely out the Eagles and coach Stan Delus. They’ll play for a 3rd straight Open Division state championship after the upset of Southern Part Open Division champion Ontario Christian. The Eagles had been 0-2 towards Ontario Christian, so the third time was the allure. They’ll face Archbishop Mitty on Saturday.
“We executed our zone offense,” Delus stated. “We had 18 assists and played really good team basketball.”
Aliyahna Morris scored 19 factors and Arynn Finley had 16 factors.
Sage Hill 52, Windward 41: The Lightning superior to the state Division I remaining towards Carondelet. Amalia Holguin scored 24 factors.
