Harvard-Westlake’s Trent Perry, #0, drives downcourt at Crespi’s Shaun Kowlessar, #1, defends on the play during first period action in the Mission League boys basketball tournament final at Harvard-Westlake on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Crespi’s Peyton White, #5, drives to the basket as Harvard-Westlake’s Nikolas Khamenia, #4, defends on the play during first period action in the Mission League boys basketball tournament final at Harvard-Westlake on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Harvard-Westlake’s Nikolas Khamenia, #4, drives to the basket s Crespi’s Drew Fisher, #0, defends on the play during second period action in the Mission League boys basketball tournament final at Harvard-Westlake on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Crespi’s Joe Sterling, #21, gets double-teamed by Harvard-Westlake’s Josh Engelberg, #21, and Isaiah Carroll, #24, during second period action in the Mission League boys basketball tournament final at Harvard-Westlake on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Crespi’s Drew Fisher, #0, drives the ball to the basket as Harvard-Westlake’s Nikolas Khamenia, #4, defends on the play during first period action in the Mission League boys basketball tournament final at Harvard-Westlake on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Crespi’s Peyton White, #5, pulls a rebound from Harvard-Westlake’s Dominique Bentho, #30, during second period action in the Mission League boys basketball tournament final at Harvard-Westlake on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Crespi’s Peyton White, #5, goes after a loose ball as Harvard-Westlake’s Christian Horry, #15, defends on the play during first period action in the Mission League boys basketball tournament final at Harvard-Westlake on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Crespi’s Joe Sterling, #21, looks for a pass as Harvard-Westlake’s Nikolas Khamenia, #4, defends on the play during 3rd period action in the Mission League boys basketball tournament final at Harvard-Westlake on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Crespi head coach Derrick Fisher coaches against Harvard-Westlake in the Mission League boys basketball tournament final at Harvard-Westlake on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Harvard-Westlake’s Dominique Bentho, #30, pulls a rebound from Crespi’s Peyton White, #5, during first period action in the Mission League boys basketball tournament final at Harvard-Westlake on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Crespi’s Shaun Kowlessar, #1, and Harvard-Westlake’s Robert Hinton, #2, go after a loose ball during first period action in the Mission League boys basketball tournament final at Harvard-Westlake on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Former Laker Matt Barnes talks with his son, Crespi’s Isaiah Barnes, #24, before the start of the Mission League boys basketball tournament final at Harvard-Westlake on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Harvard-Westlake fans scream at former Laker Matt Barnes, left, father of Crespi’s Carter Barnes, after Barnes had an altercation with the announcer in the Mission League boys basketball tournament final at Harvard-Westlake on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Harvard-Westlake’s Trent Perry, #0, pulls in a rebound over Crespi’s Shaun Kowlessar, #1, during first period action in the Mission League boys basketball tournament final at Harvard-Westlake on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Harvard-Westlake’s Isaiah Carroll, #24, and Crespixe2x80x99s Drew Fisher, #0, chase down a rebound during second period action in the Mission League boys basketball tournament final at Harvard-Westlake on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Crespi’s Isaiah Barnes, #24, goes up to block a shot by Harvard-Westlake’s Markus George, #1, during second period action in the Mission League boys basketball tournament final at Harvard-Westlake on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Harvard-Westlake’s Robert Hinton, #2, drives past Crespi’s Nickon Daei, #23, during 3rd period action in the Mission League boys basketball tournament final at Harvard-Westlake on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Harvard-Westlake’s Trent Perry, #0, drives Crespi’s Carter Barnes, #20, to the floor during second period action in the Mission League boys basketball tournament final at Harvard-Westlake on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Former Laker Matt Barnes, father of Crespi’s Carter Barnes, walks away from the scorers table after an altercation with the announcer in the Mission League boys basketball tournament final at Harvard-Westlake on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Harvard-Westlake’s Dominique Bentho, #30, dives after a rebound in front of Crespi’s Isaiah Barnes, #24, during second period action in the Mission League boys basketball tournament final at Harvard-Westlake on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Crespi head coach Derrick Fisher coaches against Harvard-Westlake in the Mission League boys basketball tournament final at Harvard-Westlake on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Crespi head coach Derrick Fisher coaches against Harvard-Westlake in the Mission League boys basketball tournament final at Harvard-Westlake on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Harvard-Westlake’s Trent Perry, #0, drives to the basket as Crespi’s Peyton White, #5, defends on the play during second period action in the Mission League boys basketball tournament final at Harvard-Westlake on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Harvard-Westlake’s Robert Hinton, #2, drives to the basket as Crespi’s Joe Sterling, #21, defends on the play during 3rd period action in the Mission League boys basketball tournament final at Harvard-Westlake on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
STUDIO CITY — Harvard-Westlake’s Christian Horry made it known from the onset of Friday night’s boys basketball game against Crespi, the Wolverines were coming for the Mission League title.
The senior sharpshooter hit three 3-pointers in a row early in the first quarter to set the tone for the Wolverines, who defeated Crespi 72-54 to claim the Mission League championship.
“It felt fantastic, especially in a matchup as big as this to set the tone early,” Horry said. “That’s one thing we’ve been struggling with, setting the tone early and expanding off it. So to come out like that and put our team in a good position, it felt great.”
In tandem with Horry, who finished the game with 14 points and four 3-pointers, Harvard-Westlake’s experienced backcourt of Robert Hinton and Trent Perry ignited the offense all night long.
Hinton showcased his patented mid-range jumper and Perry flashed his all-around-game, dishing assists to teammates, crashing the glass for rebounds and maneuvering through the lane to score.
Hinton credited his father for his midrange expertise, saying the two spent countless hours working on that specific part of his game.
“It’s a lost art, but there are so many sweet spots on every single court. As I get older, the courts get bigger and the midrange is the biggest part of the court,” Hinton said. “It’s that sweet spot where no one else can guard you, combined with my athleticism, I feel I can elevate over anyone and shoot that.”
Hinton finished with 19 points and five rebounds. Perry added 12 points and five assists and Nikolas Khamenia contributed with 14 points, four rebounds and four assists.
Sophomore Joe Sterling led Crespi in scoring with a game-high 24 points and and freshman Isaiah Barnes totaled 16 points and five rebounds.
The win secured Harvard-Westlake’s sixth consecutive league championship and the second consecutive in the Mission League Tournament format.
“The Mission League is one of the toughest, if not the toughest league in the country. For us to be on top of it for six years, it’s big time,” Harvard-Westlake head coach David Rebibo said. “It’s a testament to our school’s commitment to helping foster great student-athletes and bigger than that, it’s a testament to our players who are committed and sacrifice for each other. I couldn’t be prouder.”
Harvard-Westlake and Crespi will await the CIF Southern Section’s playoff selections which will be announced Sunday.
The Wolverines are a lock to make the Open Division playoffs and Crespi will likely be a top seed in Division 2AA.
While the Mission League championship was one of the goals for Harvard-Westlake this year, there are still two more to go.
“It’s only one down for us. There’s three goals this season: It’s Mission League, Southern Section and state,” Hinton said. “This is one down and I’m so proud of our guys and we worked so hard for this but, now it’s on to the next goal.”
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