Basketball roundup: Talented West Ranch is coming together at the right time
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SAUGUS — The West Ranch boys basketball team is riddled with talent. James Evans is a 6-foot-6 sophomore that can sky for dunks and shoot a smooth jumper. Junior forward Andrew Meadow is a tough-nosed bruiser with NCAA Division I interest. Point guard Jaqari Miles can dazzle with his craftiness in the open court.
However, each time the Wildcats have had the chance for a marquee win, they’ve fallen short: a 100-72 loss to Sierra Canyon; a 62-61 loss to Crossroads; an 83-54 loss to Harvard-Westlake; and a 78-77 loss to Riverside Poly.
But as of late, it’s coming together. West Ranch took down Fairmont Prep of Anaheim 76-74 Saturday and defeated Saugus in impressive fashion with an 82-70 Foothill League victory Tuesday night.
Miles and freshman Bryce Cofield each scored 20 points to lead West Ranch (11-6, 5-0) in the marquee league win, which puts the Wildcats in the driver’s seat for a second straight league title. Meadow had 19 points and Evans added a cool 13, including an emphatic two-handed jam in the third quarter.
James Evans 3ball. 6-foot-6 sophomore wing can be special if he wants to be. pic.twitter.com/7swjCu5zsk
— Tarek Fattal (@Tarek_Fattal) January 19, 2022
West Ranch finished the first quarter on a 20-5 run before carrying a 46-25 lead at halftime. The Wildcats later ballooned the lead to 27 after Miles scored on a coast-to-coast layup to make it 56-29.
Brandon Perez led Saugus with 18 points and helped to cut into the West Ranch deficit in the fourth quarter, but the comeback bid never got to single digits.
West Ranch went 10-0 in the Foothill League last season before going on to lose in the CIF Southern Section Division 2A quarterfinals to Agoura. Now, the Wildcats are in Division 1 and on the CIF’s Open Division watchlist.
Jaqari Miles coast to coast. West Ranch all over Saugus, 56-29. The rout is on… pic.twitter.com/3CWIeIvFzk
— Tarek Fattal (@Tarek_Fattal) January 19, 2022
The Wildcats would not be out of place in the bottom half of the Open Division, but their résumé will not earn them a berth into the almighty division this season, however, they’ll have their chance to make noise in Division 1.
Sierra Canyon 85, Brentwood 60: Ramel Lloyd Jr. had 18 points, Bronny James scored 16 and Amari Bailey tallied 14 points, eight rebounds and five assists for the Trailblazers’ Gold Coast League victory
Granada Hills 85, Canoga Park 25: Khalil Forrester had 26 points for the Highlanders.
Heritage Christian 69, Valley Christian 50: Tae Simmons tallied 22 points and 15 rebounds for the Warriors. Barrington Hargress had 21 points and eight rebounds.
Campbell Hall 80, Paraclete 66: Aaron Powell is turning into quite the player as a sophomore. He led the Vikings with 24 points and eight assists.
Village Christian 69, Maranatha 58: Immanuel Taylor scored 24 points and Thomas Luczak added in the Crusaders’ Olympic League win.
Windward 67, Viewpoint 66: Giovanni Goree led Viewpoint with 32 points in the close Gold Coast loss.
Pilibos 66, Milken 63: Antranik Balian made a game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer to give Pilibos the Liberty League victory. Balian had 20 points and teammate Andrew Abkarian had 20 points and eight rebounds.
Antranik Balian hits wild game-winning 3-pointer to give Pilibos a 66-63 win at Milken. Balian had 20pts and teammate Andrew Abkarian also has 20pts (with 8rebs). Pilibos is 18-2 and 3-0 in the Liberty League. @Antoballer24 pic.twitter.com/vUzNT3APSP
— Tarek Fattal (@Tarek_Fattal) January 19, 2022