Trevor Ariza Classic: Day II highlights
Frank Burlison
<p> LOS ANGELES – The second day of the Trevor Ariza Tip-Off Classic, hosted by the veteran NBA forward’s prep alma mater, Westchester, was highlighted by a terrific opening round game between Renaissance Academy and Long Beach Poly.</p>
<p> And, despite trailing by 10 points at intermission, the Wildcats won their fifth game in a row by edging the Poly Jackrabbits, 52-50.</p>
<p> Six-foot-eight sophomore <strong>Koat Keat</strong> (who is from the Sudan) continued his sizzling play with 30 points – including a go-ahead dunk and two free throws with 19 seconds remaining – and 13 rebounds for the Wildcats.</p>
<p> The Wildcats opened their seasons with losses to Windward and Harvard-Westlake but have since knocked off Taft, Gardena, Orange Lutheran and St. John Bosco before toppling Poly.</p>
<p> Poly’s highly-recruited junior, 6-6 <strong>Peyton Watson</strong>, couldn’t quite convert a contested, left-handed layup attempt that would have sent things into overtime just before the buzzer.</p>
<p> Renaissance Academy will face St. Bernard in a Thursday night (7:30) championship quarterfinal.</p>
<p> St. Bernard improved to 3-0 with his 85-54 win against Hart Tuesday night.</p>
<p> L.A. Dorsey transfers (from the Class of 2021) <strong>Damion McDowell</strong> and <strong>Reese Dixon-Waters</strong> combined for 40 points while senior point guard <strong>Nick Bowden</strong> (pictured) dropped in 14.</p>
<p> The other Thursday quarterfinal (at 6) will pit the host Comets (which blitzed Horace Mann, 73-20, Tuesday night for Coach <strong>Ed Azzam’s</strong> 900<sup>th</sup> victory) against Santa Monica.</p>
<p> The Vikings pulled away down the stretch to beat Gardena Tuesday afternoon, 60-50.</p>
<p> In Wednesday night’s championship bracket quarterfinals, Heritage Christian and Bishop Montgomery hook up at 6 with Etiwanda and Washington Prep following at 7:30.</p>
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