Top-ranked sophomore
Cameron Boozer willed his team to the win with 18 points, 13 rebounds, four assists and two steals while making numerous big plays down the stretch for the Explorers of Columbus (16-3).
The game also featured Sierra Canyon senior
Bronny James, who got the overflow crowd going early with a step-back 3-pointer. James finished with 13 points on 4 of 17 shooting to go along with eight rebounds.
Top-ranked sophomore Cameron Boozer made his presence felt down the stretch in the victory. (Photo: Lonnie Webb)
Sierra Canyon (17-4) took a double-digit advantage with 5:24 remaining the game as five-star junior
Isaiah Elohim continued his
impressive night with a mid-range shot to make things 42-32. Elohim finished with a game-high 16 points for the California school.
Out
of a Columbus timeout, Cameron Boozer knocked down a 3-pointer from the
left wing to cut the deficit to seven points. The following possession,
Boozer threw down a transition dunk off the steal from teammate
Benny Fragela to make things 42-37.
After the teams traded baskets to bring the score to 44-39 with 2:49 remaining, Cameron
Boozer jumped into the passing lane and went the other way for a
transition slam to cut the deficit to one possession.
The
teams traded baskets again as
Jimmy Oladokun converted a contested
layup before
Cayden Boozer – who contributed 11 points, seven rebounds and three assists to his twin brother's totals – knocked down a layup after an impressive spin
move for Columbus with 2:12 remaining.
Columbus forced a jump ball to gain possession
back with just over 20 seconds remaining before Cameron Boozer was sent
to the free throw line, where he converted on both shots to cut the
deficit to one.
A Columbus foul put Sierra Canyon's Elohim at the line with 11 seconds remaining. The junior missed his free-throw, giving Cameron Boozer the opportunity to drive the full length of the court before being stripped of the ball. Fortuitously for Columbus, the ball wound up with Abdullahi for the game winner.
Bronny James provided a spark for Sierra Canyon despite the loss. (Photo: Lonnie Webb)
