First published in the Jan. 21 print issue of the South Pasadena Review.
The South Pasadena High School varsity boys’ basketball team opened Rio Hondo League action with two victories over Temple City and Blair High of Pasadena.
The wins lifted the Tigers (2-0 league record, 11-5 overall), who are ranked No. 6 in CIF-SS Division 3A, into first place in league. They are scheduled to visit perennial league powerhouse La Cañada (1-0 in league, 11-5 overall), which is ranked fifth in CIF, for a highly anticipated matchup on Friday at 7 p.m.
CAMPBELL HALL 68, TIGERS 59
South Pasadena hosted North Hollywood’s Campbell Hall during its MLK Day Showdown on Monday, Jan. 17. Senior Dillon Akers poured in 19 points, while senior Sage Wayans added 15 points.
Junior Nick Chabot added nine points on three 3-pointers while senior Jonathan Guy scored eight points. Senior Niko Lawrence, freshman Sebastian Martinez, senior Ezekiel Pannell and Micah Matsuoka each had two points.
FAIRFAX 89, TIGERS 69
Despite falling to Los Angeles Fairfax at the Westchester Showcase on Saturday, Wayans scored a team-high 26 points. Akers and Guy added 11 and eight points, respectively, while Pannell logged seven points. Chabot scored five points, Lawrence tallied four points, and freshmen Oni Balogun and Joshua Ho each finished with three points. Matsuoka rounded out the scoring with two points.
TIGERS 88, BLAIR 45
South Pasadena had four players score in double figures during a league game at Pasadena’s Blair last Friday.
Wayans poured in a team-high 26 points, Akers scored 14 points, Lawrence added 13 points and sophomore Nathan Kawasaki had 10 points. Pannell registered eight points, Guy and Chabot each finished with four points, junior William Esnault added three points, while Balogun and senior Mark Zhang each had one point.
TIGERS 65, TEMPLE CITY 29
South Pasadena dominated visiting Temple City to open league on Wednesday, Jan. 12, as Wayans and Akers led the Tigers by recording 19 and 18 points, respectively.
