Bryce Cofield controls the ball for Sierra Canyon as they play Harvard-Westlake Jan. 28, 2025.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Harvard-Westlake’s Amir Jones tries to hang onto the ball under pressure from Sierra Canyon’s Jayden Alexander Jan. 28, 2025.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Harvard-Westlake’s Nikolas Khamenia reacts after knocking down a shot against Sierra Canyon Jan. 28, 2025.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Harvard-Westlake’s Joe Sterling is guarded by Sierra Canyon’s Bryce Cofield during their Mission League game Jan. 28, 2025.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Harvard-Westlake’s Amir Jones is defended by Sierra Canyon’s Jordan Askew during their Mission League game Jan. 28, 2025.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Harvard-Westlake boys basketball coach David Rebibo leads his team to a win over Sierra Canyon Jan. 28, 2025.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Harvard-Westlake’s Nikolas Khamenia and Sierra Canyon’s ..Bryce Cofield compete for the ball during their Mission League game Jan. 28, 2025.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Maximo Adams of Sierra Canyon guards Harvard-Westlake’s Nikolas Khamenia during their Mission League game Jan. 28, 2025.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Harvard-Westlake’s Nikolas Khamenia and Sierra Canyon’s Jordan Mize scramble for a loose ball during their Mission League game Jan. 28, 2025.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Harvard-Westlake’s Barron Linnekens and Maximo Adams of Sierra Canyon battle for a loose ball during their Mission League game Jan. 28, 2025.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Sierra Canyon’s Bryce James reacts after knocking down a shot against Harvard-Westlake Jan. 28, 2025.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Harvard-Westlake’s Amir Jones is defended by Sierra Canyon’s Jordan Askew during their Mission League game Jan. 28, 2025.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Harvard-Westlake’s Nikolas Khamenia makes a move around Maximo Adams of Sierra Canyon during their Mission League game Jan. 28, 2025.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Sierra Canyon’s Maximo Adams puts up a shot against Harvard-Westlake Jan. 28, 2025.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Harvard-Westlake’Nikolas Khamenia makes around Maximo Adams of Sierra Canyon during their Mission League game Jan. 28, 2025.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Show Caption1 of 16Bryce Cofield controls the ball for Sierra Canyon as they play Harvard-Westlake Jan. 28, 2025.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
ExpandSTUDIO CITY — The first half between the Harvard-Westlake and Sierra Canyon boys basketball teams on Tuesday night epitomized a classic defensive showdown.
Shots were contested, second-chance opportunities were limited and physical play dominated the first two quarters as both teams struggled to hit shots.
But as Harvard-Westlake head coach David Rebibo put it, “Defense never has a bad night.”
It was the Wolverines’ defensive effort that carried them through the final buzzer to a 63-52 victory over the Trailblazers.
“That’s what our program’s built on. We’re going to defend, we’re going to guard, we’re going to do the things that don’t show up on stat sheets that equate to winning, and that’s what we pride ourselves on,” Rebibo said.
The scoring picked up in the third quarter as Nikolas Khamenia led an offensive effort that saw the Wolverines put up 19 points in the frame — six points shy of the 25 points they totaled in the entire first half.
Khamenia started to pick apart Sierra Canyon’s defense, finding his teammates Dominique Bentho and Isaiah Carroll to break the double teams that were coming his way.
Khamenia, who was recently named a McDonald’s All-American, connected with Bentho in the paint for three uncontested shots, and then got the ball to Carroll on consecutive offensive possessions for scores.
When the double team was called back, Khamenia bodied his way into the paint to score.
“It’s just what the defense gave me. I just saw them, they kept doubling the pick and roll that we kept running, so I think that’s a good thing for us,” said Khamenia, who finished with 17 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. “I knew that the rest of the game was just three on two with our advantage, so I just tried to find whoever was open.”
The depth of Harvard-Westlake’s roster continued to shine like it has all season, with Bentho scoring 11 points and Carroll adding six points and nine rebounds.
Amir Jones logged 10 points, including two 3-pointers in the waning minutes of the game that put it out of reach.
Cole Holden stepped in and made two 3-pointers and had two steals on back-to-back plays that kept the momentum in Harvard-Westlake’s favor.
“These guys have been through it, they’ve been on this team, they’ve been a part of two state championship runs and three Mission League championships. They understand what it takes, they understand the sacrifice,” Rebibo said. “They understand the sacrifice that is required in order to be your best. Tonight was another example of that, and the next night, hopefully, it’ll be somebody else.”
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Bryce Cofield led the way for Sierra Canyon with 22 points and seven rebounds. Bryce James had 11 points and Gavin Hightower added eight points.
The win places Harvard-Westlake (23-1, 5-0) at the top of the Mission League and Sierra Canyon (18-4, 4-1) tied with Notre Dame for second.
The Wolverines host Chaminade on Thursday and Sierra Canyon hosts Alemany.
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