Caleb Foster leads Notre Dame basketball past Sierra Canyon for CIF State regional crown
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CALABASAS — LeBron James fired out a tweet Monday night claiming his high school senior son, Bronny James of Sierra Canyon, is better than NBA players he was watching on TV.
“Man Bronny definitely better than some of these cats I’ve been watching on league pass today …” LeBron’s tweet read.
If Bronny is better than some of the pros gracing the NBA hardwood, what about Caleb Foster?
LeBron James didn’t make an appearance to the CIF State Division I SoCal Regional final, but it might’ve prompted the NBA’s all-time leading scorer to tweet about Foster, who led Notre Dame to an 80-61 victory over Sierra Canyon at Calabasas High Tuesday night.
Notre Dame boys basketball coach Matt Sargeant celebrates with his players after defeating Sierra Canyon in the CIF State Division I SoCal Regional final March 7, 2023.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Notre Dame’s Dusty Stromer reacts as the final whistle sounds as they defeat Sierra Canyon in the CIF State Division I SoCal Regional final March 7, 2023.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Notre Dame’s Dusty Stromer reacts as the final whistle sounds as they defeat Sierra Canyon in the CIF State Division I SoCal Regional final March 7, 2023.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Notre Dame’s Caleb Foster and Dusty Stromer admire their championship plaque after defeating Sierra Canyon in the CIF State Division I SoCal Regional final March 7, 2023.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Notre Dame’s Dusty Stromer and Caleb Foster celebrate after defeating Sierra Canyon in the CIF State Division I SoCal Regional final March 7, 2023.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Notre Dame’s Caleb Foster is fouled by Noah Williams
of Sierra Canyon during the CIF State Division I SoCal Regional final March 7, 2023.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Notre Dame’s basketball coach Matt Sargeant talks to Caleb Foster as they defeat Sierra Canyon in the CIF State Division I SoCal Regional final March 7, 2023.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Notre Dame players celebrate after defeating Sierra Canyon in the CIF State Division I SoCal Regional final March 7, 2023.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Notre Dame’s Dusty Stromer reacts as the final whistle sounds as they defeat Sierra Canyon in the CIF State Division I SoCal Regional final March 7, 2023.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Notre Dame’s Mercy Miller against Sierra Canyon in the CIF State Division I SoCal Regional final March 7, 2023.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Notre Dame players celebrates after defeating Sierra Canyon in the CIF State Division I SoCal Regional final March 7, 2023.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Notre Dame boys basketball coach Matt Sargeant is doused with water after his team defeated Sierra Canyon in the CIF State Division I SoCal Regional final March 7, 2023.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Notre Dame’s Caleb Foster gets by Osiris Nalls of Sierra Canyon during the CIF State Division I SoCal Regional final March 7, 2023.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Notre Dame’s Dusty Stromer is fouled by Bronny James of Sierra Canyon during the CIF State Division I SoCal Regional final March 7, 2023.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Notre Dame’s Dusty Stromer goes up against Osiris Nalls of Sierra Canyon during the CIF State Division I SoCal Regional final March 7, 2023.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Notre Dame’s Mercy Miller grabs a loose ball in the CIF State Division I SoCal Regional final against Sierra Canyon March 7, 2023.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Notre Dame’s Caleb Foster tries to the get to the basket against Sierra Canyon during the CIF State Division I SoCal Regional final March 7, 2023.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Notre Dame’s Mercy Miller and AJ Swinton of Sierra Canyon battle for the ball in the CIF State Division I SoCal Regional final March 7, 2023.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Foster, was one of the nation’s biggest snubs from the McDonald’s All-American game, scored a game-high 28 points.
“I get up every morning at 4:45 a.m. and get in the gym before school,” Foster said. “I worked so hard to get that achievement. I didn’t get it, that’s okay, it just motivates me.”
“I came out here tonight and showed why I should be a McDonald’s All-American,” Foster added.
Bronny James – who was selected to play in the prestigious game – scored 10 points.
This man can’t be stopped. Caleb Foster is doing whatever he wants.
Notre Dame’s Mercy Miller scored 19 points, Zach White had 10, and Dusty Stromer scored eight points (all in the second half). Sierra Canyon was led by Isaiah Elohim’s 16 points. Ashton Hardaway was held to just four points.
Sierra Canyon threw different personnel at Foster. Bronny James, Bryce Cofield and Osiris Nalls Jr. all tried to to stop the Duke-bound guard. But it didn’t matter.
“His performance speaks for himself,” Notre Dame coach Matt Sargeant said of Foster.
Foster scored 13 first-half points to give Notre Dame a 35-26 lead at halftime. Foster hit a deep 3-pointer and Miller converted on an old-fashioned 3-point play to create a 52-39 advantage. Sierra Canyon’s AJ Swinton had a tip-dunk at the end of the frame to pull Sierra Canyon within 58-48, but Foster was at it again, making plays to create a lopsided 66-50 lead before another drive and layup served as the back-breaker, putting the Knights up 73-55 with three minutes to play.
Caleb Foster grabs his own rebound, dishes to Mercy Miller for 3. Huge play.
Sierra Canyon was 3-0 when playing at Calabasas as a postseason neutral site before Tuesday night’s game. The Trailblazers beat Bishop Montgomery 72-70 on March 13, 2018; Centennial 75-58 on Feb. 15, 2019; and Etiwanda 73-62, Feb. 21, 2020.
Despite the advantage of familiarity, the Trailblazers suffered its fourth straight loss to Notre Dame this season. The defeat also marks the end of Bronny James’ career. His future is a question mark, but when it comes to potential college choices, his final three have been reported to be Oregon, USC and Ohio State.
