Ethan Hill and Shalen Sheppard were twins for Brentwood’s boys basketball team last winter. Now without one of his best buddies, Hill is learning to cope — and his teammates are following suit.
The 7-foot-1 sophomore forward had 32 points and 18 rebounds while earning all-tournament honors as the Eagles defeated Millikan 75-68 to win the Silver Division championship at the Classic in Damien on Tuesday afternoon.
To the surprise of his coaches and teammates, Sheppard decided to transfer to Crossroads in Santa Monica in late September. He is one of the highest rated players in his graduating class.
Shalen Sheppard scores 22 points for Crossroads in the Gold Division consolation game against San Joaquin Memorial during the Classic in Damien on Dec. 30, 2025.
(Steve Galluzzo/For The Times)
“Honestly, I was shocked,” Hill said when he learned of Sheppard’s departure. “We’ve been playing together since eighth grade. We just had the craziest chemistry. It’s more of a challenge without him, but I believe we’re up to it. Our coaching staff pushed us hard every day.”
Led by their two fantastic freshmen, the Eagles went 25-5 last season. Sheppard averaged 16.6 points and 8.0 rebounds per game, while Hill averaged 8.4 points and 5.5 rebounds.
“Leaving Ethan was one of the hardest parts of the transfer,” said Sheppard, who scored 22 points in the Roadrunners’ 57-48 loss to San Joaquin Memorial in the Gold Division consolation game that day at Ramona Middle School. “I play AAU with him and he’s one of the first people I called the night I made my decision.
The sit-out period for transfers ended just before the Damien tournament. Sheppard has played four games and is adjusting to being without his frontcourt partner.
“I was getting double-teamed a lot so I was a little tired, but as a team we’re playing really tough teams right now,” he said. “Without Ethan, it’s tough. His big body and taking the center freed up a lot of space for me. I might go and watch him play later.”
Crossroads (9-8) faces a huge test Saturday against Crean Lutheran, ranked fifth in the Southland, according to The Times. On Tuesday, Crean Lutheran fell to No. 10 Crespi 57-54 to claim third place in the Platinum Division.
“I get more time in the gym because Crossroads is not as academically rigid,” Sheppard said. “Traffic was also a factor. I live in the same place, but I can take the subway or bus to school.” Sunset [Boulevard] it wasn’t fun at peak times.’
Brentwood guard AJ Okoh goes for a layup en route to MVP honors in Tuesday’s Silver Division championship game at the Classic in Damien.
(Steve Galluzzo/For The Times)
Meanwhile, Hill and junior guard AJ Okoh are building chemistry and it showed against Millikan. Okoh contributed four assists and scored 23 points, including a 3-pointer that gave the Eagles a five-point cushion with 1:30 remaining. He was named the most valuable player. Fellow guard Auggie Sugarman netted 14 points and was named to the all-tournament team.
“AJ and I complement each other well,” said Hill, whose scoring was as even as could be — 11 points in the first quarter, six in the second, eight in the third and seven in the fourth. “He’s quick downhill and his passing ability is amazing.
Senior Jeremiah Hunt made seven 3-pointers to keep the Rams (11-6) within striking distance and finish with 34 points. Freshman guard Quali Giran, who entered the contest averaging 24.5 points per game, finished with 18 points and eight assists to join Hunt on the all-tournament team.
Crespi’s Rodney Mukendi tries to block a jump shot by Crean Lutheran’s Chadrack Mpoyi in the Platinum Division third-place game at The Classic at Damien on December 30, 2025.
(Steve Galluzzo/For The Times)
Brentwood, ranked No. 19 in The Times’ Top 25 poll, has won seven straight since its only loss at Goodyear (Ariz.) Millennium on Dec. 17 to improve to 17-1. The Eagles defeated Woodland Hills Taft, Newport Beach Pacifica Christian and Dublin en route to the finals.
“Not having Shalen puts a lot more focus on me and that frees up my teammates,” Hill said. “We have the same goal, to go all the way and I have every confidence in us.”
Hill and Sheppard are looking forward to meeting again on January 9 in the first of two Gold Coast League games between their schools.
Redondo Union falls in Platinum Division finals
Redondo Union’s Chace Holley shoots over a Sunnyslope Rider Portela defender in the Platinum Division final Tuesday.
(Steve Galluzzo/For The Times)
The Platinum Division championship pitted Redondo Union, ranked No. 2 by The Times, against Phoenix Sunnyslope. The teams met on Nov. 22 in Corona, where the Sea Hawks dominated, but Tuesday was a different story.
Tournament MVP Delton Prescott and all-tournament selection Darius Wabbington each scored 22 points as Sunnyslope (13-1) defeated Redondo Union 71-63.
Prescott and Wabbington outscored Redondo Union by 10 points in the second half.
Chace Holley scored a game-high 31 points, including a 3-pointer at the buzzer, and fellow all-tournament selection SJ Madison contributed 11 points and 10 rebounds for the Sea Hawks (14-3), who were unable to overcome 17 turnovers. Chris Sanders also completed the entire tournament.
Folsom defeated Rolling Hills Prep 65-60 in the Gold Division final despite a stellar performance by Huskies guard Carter Fulton, who had 23 points.
Tyler Lopez scored 20 points and grabbed 14 rebounds and Joseph Ojeda added 14 points to lead Los Alamitos (8-6) to a 60-53 win over Auburn (Wash.) in the Diamond Division final.
Other division winners were Alameda (Emerald); Glendora (Bronze); Chino Hills (green); Esperanza (copper); and Santa Ana Calvary Chapel (iron).
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