ANAHEIM – Canyon’s boys basketball team won 25 games this season mostly because of its fast-paced offense, aggressive defense and Brandon Benjamin’s scoring.
Those three elements were tempered Tuesday as Canyon lost to King/Drew of Los Angeles 73-65 in the first round of the CIF SoCal Regional Division II playoffs at Canyon High.
Benjamin, a 6-5 sophomore, scored 14 points, nine fewer than his per-game average. He scored two points in the third quarter and two in the fourth, and he made only 1 of his 9 second-half shots.
King/Drew’s quick double-teaming defense had much to do with that.
King/Drew’s 73 points was the second-most scored against Canyon in its 32 games this season.
And, worst of all for Canyon coach Nate Harrison, Canyon was not the aggressor.
“I’m just really disappointed,” said Harrison, who has coached Canyon to three CIF Southern Section championships in his 16 seasons. “I thought we were the toughest team on the floor every game all year. I don’t know if I can even say that tonight, and that’s tough for me.”
Canyon finished the season 25-7, won the Crestview League championship and was No. 2 in the final Orange County rankings.
The Comanches had won 11 in a row before losing to Etiwanda in the CIF-SS Division 1 semifinals.
Two projected starters, twins Jaden and Josh Goodall, missed almost the entire season because of injuries.
King/Drew (16-16) will play at Pacifica Christian (24-9) in a second round game Thursday at 7 p.m.
Senior forward Ty Howard led Canyon with 22 points. He made 10 of his 11 shots, all close-range baskets and a few of those off of slick backdoor cuts and passes from Benjamin. Senior guard Connor Leonard scored 16 points for Canyon.
King/Drew’s Donald Thompson scored 25 points with eight rebounds. He made five of the Golden Eagles’ 10 3-pointers.
Canyon took a 49-48 lead into the fourth quarter, but would only score one basket in that fourth quarter. King/Drew outscored Canyon 17-7 through the…
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