A big win for them just to be playing
ST. JOHN BOSCO 58 WINDWARD 41
March Madness usually happens in high school basketball with playoffs and state championships, but in California, the only madness has been trying to figure a way to get started during the COVID-19 pandemic. It finally happened Tuesday for powerhouses Bellflower St. John Bosco and Windward.
Players passed their COVID-19 tests. Parents showed up at the St. John Bosco gym and heard a plea from Braves coach Matt Dunn to wear their masks. There was 100% compliance during St. John Bosco’s 58-41 victory, a major step forward to building confidence and trust for future games.
“It means everything,” St. John Bosco guard Lamaj Lewis said of getting the opportunity to play. A Loyola Marymount signee, he scored 13 points and indicated he’s willing to follow any and all protocols as long as it means being able to play. “With COVID, playing tomorrow is not guaranteed,” he said. “As long as we can play, I’m cool with it.”
Windward coach Colin Pfaff has four returning starters from a team supposed to challenge Chatsworth Sierra Canyon in league play, but he has had only one practice with his entire team because of injuries and other obstacles. The team was practicing mostly outside for weeks, but he was happy to finally get started.
“What I was encouraged with was our effort,” he said. “I thought it was a great first game for us because they’re a sure Open Division team. They’re very good, deep and physical. Defensively, they can take you out of what you want to do.”
Windward got into trouble almost immediately because its top returning player, 6foot-8 junior Kijani Wright, picked up three fouls in the first quarter. The Braves pulled away in the second half, taking advantage of the physicality to dominate in the rebounding department. Lewis scored 11 of his 13 points in the fourth quarter, penetrating with his dribbling. Windward had no one to stop him near the basket.
Point guard Dylan Andrews did his best to rally Windward without Wright. He started rebounding and attacking the basket, but fatigue started to sink in. He finished with 11 points.