Redondo’s boys basketball team increases winning streak
In the Battle of the Sea’s, the Redondo Union Sea Hawks outlasted the Palos Verdes Sea Kings 61-55 at Palos Verdes Friday night to improve their win streak to a season-high nine games and stay undefeated in the Bay League.
Terrell Carter’s 15 points led Redondo Union to a 61-55 win at Palos Verdes, increasing the Sea Hawk’s wining streak to nine games. Photo
Terrell Carter led Redondo (16-3, 4-0) with 15 points and 11 rebounds, but they got a boost with their scoring leader Ian Fox returning from an ankle injury. Fox came off the bench with a minute left in the first quarter and finished with three points on one of four shooting adding three rebounds and three assists.
The game started with Carter blocking two of Jordan Hazard’s shots on Palos Verdes’ first possession. In the first quarter, each team was going at a fast pace and taking quick shots, but neither team was having success. Redondo jumped out to a 7-2 lead, but Palos Verdes (9-10, 1-2) went on a 7-0 run in the last 3:34 of the first quarter and held a 9-7 lead – their last of the game.
Redondo quickly went ahead in the second quarter with its press defense and reaching the foul line eight times, making five. The Sea Hawks outscored the Sea Kings 18-8 in the quarter and held a 25-17 lead at halftime.
The second half began like the fast-paced opening of the game with both teams running up and down the court taking quick shots, but unlike the start, both teams were scoring.
Palos Verdes started off the half with an alley-oop layup when Will Yoon’s half-court pass to Tyler Colon cut the Sea Kings deficit to six. Redondo quickly extended the lead to 11 with two free throws by Carter and a 3-pointer by Ryan Reeves. The teams traded buckets in the quarter, but the Sea Hawks never allowed the Sea Kings to get closer than seven points.
Fox scored his first basket since returning nailing a 3-pointer to extend Redondo’s lead to 11 with 45 seconds left. The senior nearly made a half-court buzzer beater at the end of the quarter with the Sea Hawks leading 47-39.
Palos Verdes made nine 3-pointers in the game but missed three to start the fourth quarter allowing Redondo to take a commanding 13 point lead with 2:24 remaining.
As it looked like the defending state champions were going to coast to the victory, Palos Verdes made an 8-0 run sparked by Connor McKeeve. McKeeve, who had a game-high 21 points, made a 3-pointer to cut it to eight with 1:30 left. After the Sea Kings got a stop, McKeeve was fouled while attempting a three with 55.9 seconds left and made all three free throws cutting the Sea Hawks lead to 57-52.
Palos Verdes put a full-court press on Redondo and got a steal but took a rushed three and Redondo got the rebound. Redondo extended the lead to 60-52 with free throws with 40.4 seconds left, but Palos Verdes was not done. Hazard hit a three to cut the lead to five. After Redondo’s Cameron High made one of two free throws to extend the lead to six, Palos Verdes missed their next shot, essentially ending the game.
Cameron Williams recorded 11 points and 10 rebounds for Redondo, High added 11 points and three assists and Leland Green had 10 points and three steals
“We played hard and well,” Palos Verdes Coach Greg Clark said. “When playing the state champs, you have to make those three or four plays to win and we had that opportunity. I’m very proud with the way they played… They have come a long way to play in that game and play at that level. Now we have to regroup and beat West.”
Redondo’s coach Reggie Morris Jr. had a different feeling after the game.
“We came out flat and they took advantage,” Morris said. “Not to take anything away from them, because they came out and made their shots, but all 15 of us didn’t come out ready to play, coaches included.”
Fox, whose injury forced him to miss three games, said the ankle feels good.
“It feels great,” Fox said. “Everything’s strong with doing therapy all week. I’m ready to regroup with my team and keep the streak going.”
Redondo continues Bay League action Tuesday hosting Leuzinger in a 7:30 p.m. game. The Olympians (7-12, 1-2) won their first league game Friday with a 57-50 victory over West Torrance.