Redondo wins home debut in return of Morris
Reggie Morris Jr. has returned to a familiar spot.
Morris coached Redondo's boys basketball team from 2013-2016, and he has returned this season to lead the Sea Hawks again.
Since the last time he coached Redondo, Morris had stops at Culver City and Fairfax, plus college assistant jobs at LMU and Pepperdine.
“I love being back here,” Morris said. “This is home. I have so many good memories and I want to continue to add on ... There were a lot of really good coaches that came after me and I want to keep adding to what this place is.”
Morris led Redondo to the CIF-Southern Section Division 2A title and CIF State Division II title in 2013.
“This place is bigger than all of us. Huge tradition in the South Bay and I want to continue to add to it,” he said.
The Sea Hawks (2-0) won a hard-fought game Wednesday, defeating St. Anthony 53-47.
It was Redondo's opening game in the Ryse Williams Pac Shores and its first home game of the season.
Redondo led 28-25 at halftime, then allowed St. Anthony to go on a 9-0 run early in the third to fall behind 34-28. The Sea Hawks then responded with a 12-0 run to take a 40-34 lead into the fourth quarter.
SJ Madison and Cole Stokes scored 13 points apiece. Dillon Chelsea had nine points and Aidan Kwan finished with eight.
“We have a long way to go,” Morris said. “A lot of new parts, a lot of moving parts. Trying to play a little different. You can tell guys are still thinking as they're trying to play.
“We're just trying to get everybody to play hard and to compete.”
Redondo will face Washington Prep tonight at 7:30 p.m.
“All of the games right now are important,” Morris said. “They're (St. Anthony) a real tough team, they're physical, they're fast, organized, coach does a good job with them. So just being able to stay composed and match their physicality was good.”
Some of that physical work is being taken care of by Stokes.
“We're expecting everybody that's a little older to do more and pull the load,” Morris said. “We need all of those guys to stay the course and be physical.”
Stokes, who is also a top pitcher and has signed with Oregon, got the Sea Hawks off to a good start with six early points and was a presence in the post throughout the night. He added 10 rebounds and two blocks.
“It's been awesome with coach Morris,” Stokes said. “It's a whole new community, new play style. All the guys have bought in, a lot of conditioning and I feel like we're going to see the hard work pay off.”
The Sea Hawks will have a different look in a few weeks. Vaitai Tuione is expected to get the cast removed from his injured right hand and Morris said he should be back in action for the Tarkanian Classic.
Two transfers, Hudson Mays and Devin Ringer, will be eligible after the transfer sit-out period ends.
Madison, a freshman, will be one to watch throughout this season.
“He's competing at a high level ...,” Morris said. “He's our best defender, his role is going to be pretty big. It's hard to expect a freshman to do a lot, but he's up for the task and we will give him the role that he deserves.”
Mira Costa Pac Shores semifinals set
Rolling Hills Prep defeated Serra 49-44 Wednesday, led by Alec Peterson's 14 points. RHP will face Santa Monica in the first semifinal today at 6 p.m.
The second semifinal will have host Mira Costa facing Brentwood at 7:30 p.m. The Mustangs defeated Long Beach Millikan 80-51 Wednesday behind Nick Lundy's teamhigh 18 points.
The winners of those semifinals will face each other in Saturday's final.