Pictured L-R: RJ Smith, Jimmy Oladokun, Spivey Word & Kaleb Smith
Boys Basketball:
Who: Crean Lutheran vs Damien
What: CIF State Division 1 So Cal Regional Final
Where: Damien High School
When: Tuesday at 6
Damien and Crean Lutheran meet up Tuesday night in a much-anticipated sequel.
Twenty-five days ago, the Spartans overcame a 20-point deficit, and picked up a 64-59 victory at Crean Lutheran in the first round of the CIF-SS Open Division playoffs.
The Saints and Spartans went a combined 1-5 in Open Division play, but the seventh and 15th ranked programs in the state meet up in the CIF State Division 1 Southern California Regional final.
Neither Damien nor Crean Lutheran post their individual stats, but the Spartans remarkable 30-win season continues into March for several reasons, but perhaps none greater than their offensive balance.
Throughout this 2021-22 campaign, which saw the Spartans claim a share of their first Baseline League championship since 2015, Jimmy Oladokun, RJ Smith, Spivey Word and Kaleb Smith have all led Damien in scoring on multiple occasions.
The fifth member of the starting five, Bradley Xie, has provided invaluable contributions in a supporting role.
In CIF State wins over Mission Hills, JSerra and St. Bernard, RJ Smith had 59 points, Oladokun 46 points, Word 45 and Kaleb Smith chipped in with 45 points.
During the 2021-22 regular season, Crean Lutheran (71-54) and Damien (68-51) had an identical 17-point average margin of victory.
In the state playoffs, the Saints three wins came by a total of 28 points, while the Spartans had a 46-point advantage over their opponents.
The winner of tomorrow night’s showdown will face the Clovis North-St. Ignatius victor on Friday at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.
The tip for the D-1 state championship game is set for 8 p.m.
By the Numbers:
Records: CL (25-6); D (30-4)
Points Scored: CL (2,189); D (2,308)
Points Allowed: CL (1,657); D (1,733)
Most Points Scored in a Game: CL (101 vs Valencia); D (88 vs RCHS)
Most Points Allowed in a Game: CL (91 vs Centennial); D (71 vs Centennial)
Current Win Streak: CL (3); D (3)
Damien’s Home Record: (14-2)
Crean Lutheran’s Road Record: (7-1)
Last Loss: CL (Feb. 18 vs Centennial); D (Feb. 18 vs Bishop Montgomery)
League Finish: CL (Empire Champs); D (Baseline Champs)
CIF Finish: CL (0-3 in CIF-SS Open Division); D (1-2 in Open Division)
MaxPreps State Ranking: CL (15); D (7)
Damien State Playoff Scoring:
vs Mission Hills: Spivey Word 19, RJ Smith 19, Jimmy Oladokun 18, Kaleb Smith 13
vs JSerra: RJ Smith 22, Spivey Word 13, Kaleb Smith 12, Jimmy Oladokun 9, Bradley Xie 8, Xavier Clinton 2
vs St. Bernard: Jimmy Oladokun 19, RJ Smith 18, Kaleb Smith 17, Spivey Word 12, Bradley Xie 4
CIF State Division 1 Playoff Scores:
3/1:
Crean Lutheran 63, Cathedral Catholic 60
Damien 81, Mission Hills 50
3/3:
Crean Lutheran 68, La Costa Canyon 50
Damien 66, JSerra 56
3/5:
Crean Lutheran 72, Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks 65
Damien 70, St. Bernard 65
3/8:
Crean Lutheran at Damien
3/11:
Damien-Crean Luthern winner vs Clovis North-St. Ignatius winner on Friday at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento
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