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SHERMAN OAKS — It felt like a game in the Hoosier state.
For a moment, it was as if the much-anticipated boys basketball matchup was the only show in town. Everyone in the gym was transported to middle America. The Notre Dame band was playing. Harvard-Westlake’s student section was chanting. The stands were packed well before tipoff. Every conversation was accompanied with a raised voice and slight lean-in motion because it was so loud.
“The atmosphere was amazing tonight,” Harvard-Westlake’s Jacob Huggins said.
Both teams entered league play unbeaten and only one would leave the gym with its perfect record intact. The trimmings to the game were already great, but everyone in attendance was spoiled with two more periods of basketball.
Junior guard Trent Perry scored a game-high 27 points to help Harvard-Westlake edged Notre Dame 85-78 in double overtime on the road in a Mission League thriller Wednesday night. Perry was 15-of-16 from the free throw line, including 8-of-9 in the fourth quarter and overtime periods.
“He was unbelievable,” Harvard-Westlake senior Brady Dunlap said. “He showed great leadership, too. I was down on myself in the first three quarters, but he picked me up. He told me I could change the game with one big shot. It helped me a ton.”
Huggins had 18 points and 11 rebounds. Nik Khamenia had 15, Robert Hinton added 13 and Dunlap finished with 14 points after having just four points in the first three quarters.
Khamenia made two free throws to tie the game at 63-63 before Notre Dame’s Mercy Miller’s game-winning attempt from the baseline fell short, forcing the first overtime. Harvard-Westlake held a 69-65 lead at one point in the first overtime, but later Miller redeemed himself with a tough-leaning jumper to force a second overtime at 71-71. A basket from Dunlap helped to create another four-point lead for Harvard-Westlake, 79-75, that held up thanks to free throws from Perry to seal the victory.
Brady Dunlap bucket. Harvard-Westlake leads 79-75 … pic.twitter.com/vwA1pXga0F
— Tarek Fattal (@Tarek_Fattal) January 19, 2023
“That was a big one,” Dunlap said. “We know how big this week is for us. But we knew we couldn’t win, or lose, the Mission League tonight. We have to get ready for Sierra Canyon.”
Harvard-Westlake (21-1, 4-0 Mission) will host Sierra Canyon (18-3, 4-0) Friday at 7 p.m. in another matchup of league unbeatens after the Trailblazers beat St. Francis 61-43 Wednesday night.
Notre Dame point guard Caleb Foster, a Duke commit, fouled out at the end of regulation. Dusty Stromer led the Knights (14-8, 3-1) with 21 points. Foster had 20 and Miller scored 18.
Caleb Foster. He’s going to Duke …
Easy break down that turns into a nice dish to Dante Ogbu for the lay-in.
HW 37, Notre Dame 37. 4:40, 3Q pic.twitter.com/UcT2F2szAr
— Tarek Fattal (@Tarek_Fattal) January 19, 2023
Sierra Canyon 61, St. Francis 43: Isaiah Elohim led the Trailblazers with 24 points. Justin Pippen added 12 to keep Sierra Canyon unbeaten in the Mission League (4-0). Jackson Mosley led St. Francis with 12 points. Bronny James did not play (rest).
Chaminade 46, Crespi 42: Coltrane Marchand led Chaminade with 13 points. Peyton White led the Celts with 15 points.
Loyola 56, Alemany 47: Jared Mims led Alemany with 17 points in the loss.
WEST VALLEY LEAGUE
Birmingham 77, El Camino Real 43: Ashton Caraway led the way for Birmingham, which will have a showdown with Taft Friday.
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Granada Hills 68, Chatsworth 49: Noah Ramirez had 14 points and eight rebounds. Joe Green added 12 for the Highlanders. Alijah Arenas had 31 for Chatsworth.
Taft 100, Cleveland 67: Keyon Kensie led the Toreadors with 25 points and Adam Grissom had 18.
OTHER SCORES
Oak Park 62, Simi Valley 58: Trey McDonald led the Eagles with 20 points in the Canyon League win. Ryder Mjoen had 25 points for Simi Valley.
St. Genevieve 54, Mary Star 52: AJ Hudson had 21 points, seven rebounds and three assists in the win.