Redondo boys basketball team soars into Bay League action [UPDATED]

Junior Zekiah Lovett led Redondo with 29 points in the Sea Hawks 85-69 victory over Los Altos in the Take Flight Challenge. Photo

Redondo’s boys basketball team concluded its non-league schedule on a high note with two impressive victories in the Jordan Brand Take Flight Challenge.

The host Sea Hawks defeated Camarillo 72-55 Friday led by Ryse Williams’ 19 points, five rebounds and three steals. Camarillo is ranked No. 5 in CIF-SS Division 2AA while Redondo broke into the top ten in the highly-competitive Division 1AA this week at No. 14.

Redondo (12-4) pulled away after holding a slim 31-28 lead at halftime when Thomas Ecklund recorded eight points and two steals in the second half.

Zekiah Lovett and Jailen Moore each scored nine points, Chimezie Maduno added eight points and seven rebounds, Isaiah Tyler contributed seven points, seven rebounds and two blocks and Jace Bass scored seven points in the win.

In Saturday’s contest, Redondo had little trouble beating Los Altos 83-69 with Lovett leading the charge scoring 29 points. Los Altos is ranked No. 2 in CIF-SS Division 1A.

Williams and Quinn Collins scored 11 points each for the Sea Hawks who have won nine of their last 10 games.

Redondo opened Bay League action Tuesday with an 80-66 victory at Morningside.and will host Inglewood Friday at 7:30 p.m. before playing in the MLK Day Showdown at Serra on Monday and hosting Palos Verdes on Tuesday.

Mira Costa entered Bay League action with a 10-6 record while riding a five-game winning streak.

Mira Costa opened league with a road game at Peninsula on Tuesday but fell to the Panthers 68-45. Brandon Chan led the Mustangs with 10 points.

Mira Costa will host Palos Verdes Friday and Morningside on Tuesday. Both games tip off at 7:30 p.m.

The Mustangs concluded non-league play with a 51-34 victory over Diamond Ranch in the Coach Hurt Cavalier Classic at Serra High School. Brandon Chan led the offense with 16 points.

“We are definitely playing better of late, finding greater chemistry as time goes by after some early season inconsistencies,” Mira Costa coach Jeff Amaral said. “We started the Under Armour Holiday Classic at Torrey Pines by losing to a very good Sonora team that we led at the half. They ended up winning the tournament and are averaging over 80 points a game with a 16-2 record.  

“With the exception of a very fast paced game against University in Irvine (a 96-86 win), our team defense has been the catalyst in playing better. Seniors Brandon Chan and Ryan White have been our most consistent players and we are finally at full strength after having juniors Bobby Barkley and Morgan Clark each miss 4-5 games due to injuries in December. They are both averaging right around double digits along with Brandon and Ryan.”

Seniors Jonas Pittman and Jackson Weaver give the team versatility with their ability to defend multiple positions and shoot from the perimeter. Senior big men led by Cameron Steen and supported by Jacob Magleby and Ramsey Reagan have been doing a good job of rebounding and controlling the paint.

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