Sierra Canyon vs. Redondo: Superlatives

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Redondo Union basketball team traveled to Sierra Canyon Tuesday night for a win-or-go-home game in the CIF State SoCal Regional Division 1 playoffs. The Trailblazers outlasted the Sea Hawks, 74-68, in an uptempo, back-and-forth game that featured multiple momentum and lead changes. Sierra Canyon's second half defensive adjustments to take away Redondo's three-point shooters proved to be the separator that allowed the Trailblazers to advance to the Division 1 state championship game at Golden1 Center in Sacramento. Below are some superlatives from the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Best Scorers: [player_tooltip player_id='1630623' first='Gavin' last='Hightower'], Sierra Canyon | [player_tooltip player_id='1630621' first='Hudson' last='Mayes'], Redondo Union</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>On Hightower</em>: This was the exact type of game that the dynamic 6-foot point guard thrives in: fast-paced, transition and open court opportunities. Hightower's combination of savvy ball-handling and speed and quickness allowed him to break the Redondo pressure and get into the paint where his finishing ability and ability to draw fouls took over. The Iona-bound senior finished with 25 points, including 15-for-18 from the free throw line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>On Mayes</em>: In his final high school game before heading to Central Michigan, Mayes scored 19 points with a barrage of pull-up jumpers and strong takes to the rim. Mayes added eight rebounds, three assists and made all six of his free throw attempts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Most Efficient: [player_tooltip player_id='1956480' first='Maximo' last='Adams'], Sierra Canyon</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6-foot-6 wing picked his spots well and only missed three of his 11 field goal attempts en route to a 22-point, eight-rebound performance. Adams is one of the state's top prospects in the junior class and has made some big strides this season with his production and efficiency.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Best Passer: [player_tooltip player_id='1956470' first='Chace' last='Holley'], Redondo Union</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Holley led all players in assists as he dished out seven helpers to his teammates. The 6-foot-1 point guard is one of the fastest guards with the ball in his hands we have in the state and his ability to get downhill and into the lane under control allowed him to use his vision to find open teammates. Holley has boosted his stock this season as a high motor point guard who can initiate offense and create it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Best Glue-Guy Performance: [player_tooltip player_id='1630626' first='Bryce' last='Cofield'], Sierra Canyon</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cofield is one of the better slashers and finishers in the region and his combination of size, strength and explosive athleticism was on display on both ends of the floor in this game. The 6-foot-5 senior scored 14 points, grabbed seven rebounds and played shut down defense on Redondo forward [player_tooltip player_id='2436266' first='Chris' last='Sanders'], holding him to 0-for-6 from the field. Cofield is one of the top unsigned seniors in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Best Shooter: Brayden Miner | Redondo Union</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are few prospects in the state who have a quicker release on their shot than Miner. The 6-foot-1 guard needs minimal time and space to get from catch to release and his shooting mechanics never stray from the fundamentals no matter how closely draped a defender is on him. Miner scored 14 points, including four three-pointers, in the losing effort.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Best Defensive Performance: [player_tooltip player_id='2746566' first='Jayden' last='Alexander'] | Sierra Canyon</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6-foot-2 guard was tasked with not allowing the above-mentioned Miner to get a clean look from three-point range and executed that plan to perfection. Alexander was basically in a face-guarding situation where he mirrored Miner's every move to keep the ball out of his hands. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->