St. Pius X’s quest to CIF Open Division boys basketball playoffs picking up steam

Tyrone Riley scored 33 points, including 11 in the fourth quarter to lead the Warriors

DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA - It’s hard to crack the top eight in the CIF Southern Section Open Division boys basketball playoffs.

Especially when considering ‘blue bloods’ that seem to be mainstays in the section’s top division like Harvard-Westlake, St. John Bosco, Mater Dei, Corona Centennial and Bishop Montgomery.

Sierra Canyon, too, which is the only program remaining that’s been selected to the Open since its creation in 2014-15.

• SOUTHERN SECTION BOYS BASKETBALL SCOREBOARD

There are a few teams in the Southland chasing their first Open Division berth this season, two of them faced off Friday night in a game that could be a deciding factor when selecting the eight-team field.

St. Pius X-St. Matthias Academy will have the upper hand going forward after a 71-67 win over La Mirada at home thanks to 33 points from Tyrone Riley, a University of San Francisco commit.

“We knew this was a must-win for head-to-head purposes, if it comes down to it,” Riley said.

Tyrone Riley’s dunk beats the third quarter buzzer. St. Pius finishes the frame on an 8-0 run.

St. Pius 53, La Mirada 48. End of 3 pic.twitter.com/848z0aCx53

— Tarek Fattal (@Tarek_Fattal) December 16, 2023

Riley scored eight straight points for St. Pius down the stretch to help the Warriors pull away.

“I felt like I needed to get easier baskets, so I went inside,” Riley said of his fourth quarter performance.

La Mirada (11-3) freshman Gene Roebuck impressed with 25 points, including 13 points in the third quarter, but he left the game in the fourth quarter due to cramping. La Mirada’s Julien Gomez added 21 points.

• VIDEO: Roebuck with a big rebound, and-1

St. Pius (4-1) lost to Harvard-Westlake by one on Dec. 6, 72-71. The Wolverines are defending CIF State Open Division champions and ranked nationally.

“I know we can play in the Open Division, but I’m the coach,” St. Pius coach Donte Archie said. “When we played that game, I think the boys then realized they belong.”

Tyrone Riley inside. St. Pius leads La Mirada 62-60. 2:18 to play pic.twitter.com/eF5rMCziwh

— Tarek Fattal (@Tarek_Fattal) December 16, 2023

Riley added: “Even though we lost to Harvard-Westlake, almost beating them put everyone on notice.”

The Warriors will travel to Las Vegas to play in the Tarkanian Classic before playing in the Classic at Damien. Victories in both those events could bolster St. Pius’ Open Division chances.

Another feather in St. Pius cap would be winning a tough Del Rey League, which begins on Jan. 3 when it takes on St. Anthony.

SCORES FROM FRIDAY, DEC. 15

• SOUTHERN SECTION BOYS BASKETBALL SCOREBOARD

St. Bonaventure 61, Moorpark 51: Dylan Bonner had 32 points and 15 rebounds for the Seraphs.

Westlake 65, Oak Park 59 (OT): Austin Maziasz continues to play well after scoring 29 points and notching 11 rebounds in the win. 

Etiwanda 61, Villa Park 44: Stanley Thomas led the Eagles with 16 points in the victory.

Valley Christian 65, Chaminade 50: Eagles fall despite 30 points from Bryce Goldman.

Santa Monica 57, Agoura 52: Ethan Klopp led the Chargers with 20 points in the loss.

Pacifica Christian 79, South Eugene 65: EJ Spillman led PC with 26 points and seven rebounds. Alex Stewart pitched in 21.

Crescenta Valley 74, Burroughs 54: Vaughn Zargarian led CV with 20 points. Logan Freeman added 15 in the Foothill League win.

Valley Christian (AZ) 69, St. Francis 51: Mazi Mosley led St. Francis with 19 points in the setback.

Long Island Lutheran 81, Mater Dei 68: The Monarchs suffer their first loss of the season in the Bahamas despite 29 points from Luke Barnett by way of nine 3s.