CIF-SS Championships: Open Division Standouts
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RIVERSIDE — It wasn’t the game we expected to see with two of the top teams in the state. Harvard-Westlake and Eastvale Roosevelt both struggled offensively throughout Friday’s Open Division championship game at Cal Baptist University. Despite shooting just 35.7%…
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Continue ReadingRIVERSIDE — It wasn’t the game we expected to see with two of the top teams in the state. Harvard-Westlake and Eastvale Roosevelt both struggled offensively throughout Friday’s Open Division championship game at Cal Baptist University. Despite shooting just 35.7% from the field, 23.1 percent from three-point range and missing 10 free throw attempts, the Wolverines took the Open crown over Roosevelt, 54-47. Below we break down the top performers from an otherwise ugly game.
Christian Horry Christian Horry 6'4" | SF Harvard-Westlake | 2024 State CA-S | 2024 | Harvard-Westlake
The 6-foot-3 wing didn’t have a stat-line that would blow you away as he tallied four points and six rebounds, but the senior played more than 29 minutes and was a stout defensive presence both on the ball and in gaps. Horry also knocked down his only three-point shot of the game at an important moment in the fourth quarter to help the Wolverines steal some momentum.
Brayden Burries Brayden Burries 6'4" | SF Roosevelt | 2025 State #13 Nation CA-S | 2025 | Eastvale Roosevelt
It wasn’t the best game we’ve seen from Burries – not by a long shot – but he was still an effective two-way player who helped the Mustangs stay close until the final moments. The 6-foot-5 wing is an overwhelmingly powerful driver and finisher with a pop of athleticism around the rim. Burries finished with 14 points and six rebounds in the loss.
Darnez Slater Darnez Slater 6'1" | PG Roosevelt | 2024 State #216 Nation CA-S | 2024 | Eastvale Roosevelt
In a game that lacked efficiency Slater was the one guy who was relatively consistent from the field. The Colorado State-signee finished with a game-high 18 points on 6-for-14 from the field and 2-for-4 from three-point range. Slater is simply a solid all-around player who can get to the rim, absorb and finish through contact and can also step out to the perimeter hit catch and shoot threes and pull-up jumpers.
Dominique Bentho Dominique Bentho 6'8" | C Harvard-Westlake | 2026 State CA-S | 2026 | Harvard-Westlake
The 6-foot-8 center was one of the younger prospects on the floor for either team and held his own as an interior defender and rebounder. Bentho played a solid 18 minutes and tallied four points, seven rebounds and did a solid job of contesting and changing shots around the rim without fouling.
Nik Khamenia Nik Khamenia 6'7" | SF Harvard-Westlake | 2025 State #18 Nation CA-S | 2025 | Harvard-Westlake
In my estimation, Khamenia was the best player on the floor by a wide margin. The 6-foot-8 wing/forward scored 15 points, hit 6-for-8 from the free throw line, assisted on two more baskets and grabbed seven rebounds all while drawing a ton of attention from the Roosevelt defense. Khamenia picked his spots well, didn’t force shots when he saw multiple defenders and let the game come to him.
Robert Hinton Robert Hinton 6'4" | CG Harvard-Westlake | 2024 State #147 Nation CA-S | 2024 | Harvard-Westlake
One thing you can always count on with Hinton is that he is going to impact every area of the stat sheet and Friday night was no different. The 6-foot-4 wing scored 15 points (4-for-7 from the field, 7-for-8 from the free throw line) and added five rebounds, two assists a block and a steal.
Trent Perry Trent Perry 6'4" | PG Harvard-Westlake | 2024 State #70 Nation CA-S | 2024 | Harvard-Westlake
Perry was all about controlling tempo of the game in this one and he did a great job of it. He made good decisions on when to attack in transition and when to pull the ball out and run offense. Perry, a McDonald’s All-American, didn’t have his best game as he scored 13 points on 3-for-11 from the field but his pace and decision-making down the stretch of the game helped Harvard-Westlake hold on for the win.