Photos by Taegan Maysami (@madeby.taeg on Instagram)
Boys Basketball:
For the first time in the 2023-24 playoffs, the Damien basketball program was facing a team with an even longer win streak than that of the Spartans.
DHS had won eight consecutive games before Friday’s CIF-SS Division 1 semifinal round showdown with Windward.
The Wildcats are ranked No. 3 in the state by MaxPreps, and they traveled to La Verne on a 17-game win streak.
Ironically, Windward’s last loss was a December 27 setback against Salesian College Prep at the Classic at Damien.
Fast forward 51 days, and the Wildcats would leave the Damien gym happy, thanks to a 67-60 victory over the Spartans.
A 21-9 run in the third quarter allowed Windward to enter the fourth period with a 50-43 advantage.
Damien got 20 points from its star senior, Xavier Clinton.
Nate Garcia chipped in with 19 points.
And Eli Garner contributed 14 points in the loss.
Up next: Damien will won’t get its CIF State first-round opponent until next Sunday.
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Box Score:
W: 21-8-21-17-(67)
D: 17-17-9-17-(60)
Records: Windward (28-3); Damien (26-5)