Support our high school sports coverage by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribe now.
It’s been four years since Ziaire Williams hit the buzzer beater.
Sierra Canyon’s Bronny James was a freshman when Williams, who now plays for the Memphis Grizzlies, capped off a miraculous comeback to help the Trailblazers take down Etiwanda in the CIF State Open Division Southern California regional final at Cal State Northridge in February of 2020. The program punched a ticket to Sacramento for a third straight time, priming itself for an attempt at a third consecutive state title.
The game never happened.
Ziaire Williams with the buzzer beater! Sierra Canyon wins 63-61. Trailblazers use a 13-0 run to comeback and advance to third state CIF State Open Division title game. UNREAL finish. pic.twitter.com/BacgD5nFEs
— Tarek Fattal (@Tarek_Fattal) March 11, 2020
Just a few days later, the CIF State office canceled the state high school basketball championships at the Golden 1 Center, home of the NBA’s Sacramento Kings, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Bronny James and the Trailblazers never got to play the season’s final game for the ultimate prize.
James is now a senior. He’s the captain and leader of the team. He’s been named a McDonald’s All-American.
He’s finally starting to show it.
“His increased level of play has been tremendous,” Sierra Canyon coach Andre Chevalier said. “But, more so, his increased level of leadership has been more impactful. He’s had a louder voice.”
Fattal: Sierra Canyon basketball’s Bronny James leads by example in a contagious way
James has a chance to play in the game he never got to four years ago if he can lead the Trailblazers to victory over Notre Dame in the regional final Tuesday night in Sherman Oaks at 7 p.m. Winner will head to Sacramento to play in the Division I state final.
A win could provide James with the biggest win of his career, given Notre Dame has beaten Sierra Canyon three times already this…
Read the full article here
