The La Cañada High School varsity boys’ basketball team fell to Oak Park, 65-59, in the Slam Jam Showcase at St. Francis High School last Saturday.
The Spartans led 40-38 going into the final quarter. However, the Eagles came alive and held La Cañada to only nine points in the final eight minutes, allowing Oak Park to pull away for the victory.
Kyle Brown led the Spartans with 26 points, five rebounds and five assists, and Ryan Grande chipped in 15 points, four assists and three rebounds. Nathan Snow netted 12 points, Michael Herrick finished with three points, eight rebounds and three assists, and Kevin Kirste contributed three points.
La Cañada entered Rio Hondo League play on Wednesday with an overall mark of 6-10. Despite the team’s record being below .500, LCHS head coach Tom Hofman is confident facing league opponents.
“It’s going to be a good challenge for us after playing a tough schedule,” Hofman said. “The last two games were very encouraging. We gave Notre Dame and Oak Park, which is one of the best teams in the state, a good game. Our record is very deceiving because of our difficult schedule. We’ve improved a lot, and I am very happy with where we are.”
The Spartans faced San Marino on Wednesday and will travel to South Pasadena Middle School for a league game on Friday, Jan. 10, at 7 p.m.
St. Francis 49
Encino Crespi 46
The Golden Knights edged Crespi, 49-46, in the teams’ Mission League opener on Monday.
UC Irvine-bound Andre Henry led St. Francis with 25 points and Kai Glassen chipped in 13 points to help the team improve to 18-4 on the season.
St. Francis (1-0 in league), ranked No. 9 in CIF Southern Section Division 9, will travel to West Hills to take on Chaminade in a league game on Wednesday, Jan. 15, at 7 p.m.
Flintridge Prep 49
Sherman Oaks Buckley 46
The Flintridge Prep varsity boys’ basketball team won a second consecutive game on Monday, defeating visiting Sherman Oaks Buckley, 49-46, in a nonleague game.
The Rebels, guided by first-year head coach Ramses Barden, improved to 5-8 on the season and will begin Prep League play this Friday, Jan. 10, at Burbank Providence. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
Sherman Oaks Notre Dame 69
La Cañada 55
The Spartans suffered a 69-55 nonleague loss to visiting Sherman Oaks Notre Dame last week.
The Knights led by five points in the first quarter and kept on adding to its lead as the game progressed.
Standout Kyle Brown led La Cañada with 23 points and 10 rebounds, and Ryan Grande added 18 points. Michael Herrick chipped in six points, five assists and 15 rebounds, Ben Kim netted six points and Darren Pung contributed two points and two assists.
