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Boys Basketball:

It’s almost impossible to describe just how far the Glendora High School basketball program has come this year.

GHS began the season on March 23rd.

And the Tartans suffered a 23-point loss to Damien on an outdoor court.

They were forced to practice every day on concrete because of COVID-19 concerns and state guidelines.

There wasn’t even a guarantee they’d ever get to practice indoors, let alone play a game.

Seventy-nine days later, however, and the Tartans are the CIF-SS Division 3A champions.

GHS defeated Marina, 53-50, on Thursday night in Huntington Beach.

It’s their first boys basketball title since 2001.

Jack Anderson, who usually does everything but score, played the best game of his career.

And he did it on the biggest stage.

Anderson led GHS with 16 points, four steals and six rebounds.

The Tartans’ senior hit three 3-pointers in the first quarter to give GHS an early lead, and they never trailed on Thursday night.

Luke Jacobson was a beast inside, scoring 14 points, grabbing 16 rebounds and dishing out three assists.

Austin Clark added 11 points and two assists, and two-sport star, Braydon Wooldridge, contributed six points and two assists.

Eric Hodgkins led Marina with 22 points, while Brad Fronek had 10 points for the Vikings.

Noah Smith finished with four points, six rebounds and three assists.

And while his scoring may seem low for Smith’s standards, it was his defense that played as big a role as any in the Tartans coming home from Surf City as CIF champions.

Ayden Green chipped in with two points and two assists.

On top of everything else special about this accomplishment is that Gordon Hamlow is a 1991 Glendora High School graduate, and for the last 25 years, he’s had his father and APU Hall of Famer Cliff Hamlow on his bench.

 

Until last week, Hamlow had never made a semifinal appearance during his 25-year career at Baldwin Park, Rowland, San Dimas and now Glendora.

But now, he’s a champion.

Below is the final seconds of Thursday’s game:

Up next: Glendora will be back in action on Tuesday in the CIF State playoffs.

The Tartans will now wait to find out their opponent and location.

Box Score:
G: 11-15-17-10-(53)
M: 6-18-8-18-(50)

Glendora scoring: Jack Anderson 16, Luke Jacobson 14, Austin Clark 11, Braydon Wooldridge 6, Noah Smith 4, Ayden Green 2

Marina scoring: Eric Hodgkins 22, Brad Fronek 10, AJ Robinson 8, Robert Aguirre 6, Bohdi Armstrong 4.

Quotable:

Glendora coach, Gordon Hamlow: “This is a really good group of kids who worked hard all year and played together. They never cared who got the credit, they just wanted to win games. I am so proud of every player and coach, because they all did their part in us winning a championship. To see Jack Anderson sacrifice his numbers all year to make us the best team we could be, and then to play his biggest game in the CIF championship makes me so happy, because he is such a great young man. We shared the ball, we played outstanding defense and our crowd made a big difference for us. It was special to win a championship for my alma mater and to have my dad at my side has been special. This was pretty sweet.”

Glendora junior, Noah Smith: “It feels really good. We’re blessed to be here. We knew we couldn’t let them get hot from 3 early and we worked hard on defense. Jack was huge tonight. I am really happy for him. It was one of his last high school games and he stepped up big time. The crowd from Glendora was huge and we all want to thank them for coming out and supporting us. I was really proud of how calm and composed we played all night. We actually have some really good talent coming back, and I want to get back to the title game again next year.”

Glendora senior, Jack Anderson: “I had nine of the first 11 points, but it wasn’t something I was looking to do. It’s not about me, it’s about us. I felt good early on and I’m so happy I was able to contribute in us winning a championship. It’s pretty crazy how I graduated last night and came back to school, went to Orange County and came home a CIF champion. What makes me so proud is how everyone did their part. Noah might not have scored as much as he’s used to, but his defense was so huge to our success. Luke was a presence inside and I could go on and on about the versatility of this team. I am just so proud to be part of this group.”

Glendora senior, Austin Clark: “This has been crazy and it really hasn’t sunk in yet. To go through everything we did this year and to win a championship to end my senior year means so much to me. I feel so grateful that my teammates trusted me in big moments to make plays. Tonight, everyone stepped up, and none bigger than Jack Anderson. He works so hard, is such a great person and teammates and he’s also someone we all know that can shoot the ball. He just tends to do all the dirty work for us and doesn’t get all the credit he deserves. I am so proud of everything we pulled off as a team.”

Glendora junior, Braydon Wooldridge: “I was disappointed that we didn’t make the playoffs in baseball, so to win a CIF championship in basketball made this accomplishment seem so much more special and I am so proud of my teammates and the program. There was a time over a 62-day period where I played at least a baseball or basketball game in 54 of those 62 days, and it took a lot out of me. But it was all worth it, because we won a CIF championship for the program, the school and for our supportive community. I think of all the great things that happened, I am most  happy that Jack Anderson stepped up so big tonight. I don’t know if there is a better teammate or person around. He is just that special of a guy, and he deserves so much credit for our success throughout the season, and he was at his best tonight.”

Records: Glendora (23-6); Marina (15-8)

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