SACRAMENTO — Chatsworth’s boys basketball team arrived at Golden 1 Center on Saturday with its gifted sophomore and a chance to end the L.A. City Section’s drought in the CIF State championships.
Alijah Arenas responded with a record-setting performance but an opponent dubbed the “Road Warriors” had other plans.
Monterey used a strong start and excellent shooting to collect a 74-66 victory in the Division IV final despite 44 points from Arenas.
The son of former NBA all-star Gilbert Arenas set the record for points in a Division IV final and is second all-time overall to Tracy Murray of Glendora, who netted 64 points in a loss in the Division II championship in 1989.
Arenas hugged his father after the game and fought back tears in the postgame press conference.
“I’m very grateful,” said Arenas, who broke the Division IV scoring record of 35 set by Shon Tarver of Oxnard Santa Clara in 1990. “I’m very blessed to be in this situation. It felt good knowing I did something (historic). I wish I could have got the win and I could have … done better for my teammates.”
The 6-foot-4 Arenas shook off a slow start and several double teams to make 17 of 32 field goals, including 2 of 6 3-point attempts. He also grabbed eight rebounds to lead Chatsworth (20-15), which appeared in its first state final.
The Chancellors also received eight points, 19 rebounds and nine blocks from junior post Taj Unuakhalu, nine points on three 3-pointers from freshman guard TJ Phillips and six assists from junior guard Salomon Torres.
Chatsworth was one of a record three L.A. City Section teams to reach the state finals this weekend. The Granada Hills Charter girls and Verdugo Hills boys were the other two teams.
The Chancellors were trying to become the first L.A. City Section boys team to win a state title since View Park in 2018.
They challenged for history one season after finishing 9-21 in 2022-23.
“It actually feels good to see them showing emotion ……
Read the full article here
