Trevor Ariza Tip-Off Classic: Wednesday highlights

<p>  LOS ANGELES – The Heritage Christian and Etiwanda high squads set the stages for a potentially terrific showdown while remaining unbeaten with Trevor Ariza Tip-Off Classic second-round victories Wednesday night at Westchester High.</p> <p>   *The Heritage Christian Warriors spotted the Bishop Montgomery Knights a 9-zip advantage (via three consecutive 3s) before prevailing, 59-54, to improve to 5-0;</p> <p>   *And, in the second quarter played Wednesday, Etiwanda overcame something well-short of a sharp offensive performance to topple Washington Prep, 62-40, and go to 7-0.</p> <p>  The Warriors and Eagles (both of which play in the Dec. 26-30 The Classic at Damien) are strong candidates to be in the CIF Southern Section’s eight-team Open Division playoff field in February.</p> <p>  They meet Friday night at 6:30 for a spot in Saturday night’s championship game.</p> <p>  Coach <strong>Paul Tait’s</strong> Heritage Christian team got strong efforts from it cluster of quality underclassmen Wednesday night, including junior forwards <strong>Kyle Frelow</strong> (nine points and eight rebounds) <strong>and Justin Rochelin (</strong>18 points, including four 3s) and reserve guard <strong>Nehemiah Gilliam</strong>, whose “and 1” with 6:02 remaining tied the score, at 47.</p> <p>  Senior <strong>Dillon Depina</strong> scored seven of his nine points in the fourth quarter while two sophomores also came up <em>big</em> when it counted most.</p> <p>  Point guard <strong>Skyy Clark</strong> had 11 points, including a bucket after a steal that gave the Warrior their first lead.</p> <p>  And Las Vegas Bishop Gorman transfer <strong>Max Allen</strong>, in his Heritage Christian debut after his eligibility was cleared by the Southern Section office earlier in the day, came off the bench to score seven points and grab as many rebounders.</p> <p>  The Eagles were never threatened, even while playing one of the better teams from the L.A. City Section, committing 15 turnovers and not jump shooting particularly well.</p> <p>   Three of Coach <strong>Dave Kleckner’s</strong> players scored at least 10 points with senior forward <strong>Tyree Campbell</strong> (pictured) leading the way with 14 points to go with eight rebounds.</p> <p>  Junior <strong>Jahmai Mashack</strong> scored 10 points with six rebounds, five steals and two blocked shots while classmates <strong>Darvelle Wright</strong> and <strong>Marcus Green</strong> came off the bench to score 10 points apiece</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>