Palisades, hoping to be a City Section basketball title contender, unveiled two 6-foot-5 twins from Detroit, EJ and OJ Popoola, on Monday night, but that didn’t stop Windward from shooting 3-pointers in its home gym.
The Wildcats made 14 3-pointers and got a great performance from 6-6 junior Davey Harris in the 80-60 victory. Harris, who said a few weeks ago at Windward’s season opener that he was “80%” after recovering from a knee injury that sidelined him for two seasons, now says he’s “85 to 90%.” If that’s true, wait until he’s 100%, as he finished with 31 points, nine rebounds and eight assists.
Palisades (0-3) is doing exactly what City Section football teams did during their non-league seasons — playing tough Southern Section opponents to prepare for league play. The Dolphins open Western League play against Venice on Wednesday and will be a contender for the Open Division title.
Palisades freshman guard Phillip Reed is already one of the best players in the City. He had 19 points. He gained upper body strength through gym work thanks to his father, Phillip Reed Sr., who played football at Inglewood and in college. EJ Popoola scored 14 points and OJ Popoola had nine points. City dunks will entertain fans this season.
Palisades trailed by 17 points in the second quarter, got within five points in the third quarter, but each time Windward pulled away with 3-pointers. The Dolphins will need to improve their defense.
Windward is 6-2 and prepares for a tough Gold Coast league that includes Campbell Hall, Brentwood and Crossroads.
Oxnard 81, Dos Pueblos 53: Sophomore D’Aries Garrett scored 30 points in the Channel League opener.
Mater Dei 79, Oceanside El Camino 36: Richie Ramirez scored 25 points and Luke Barnett scored 22 points for the Monarchs.
St. John Bosco 89, Palos Verdes 56: Christian Collins had 22 points for the 5-0 Braves.
Heritage Christian 62, La Serna 42: Eli Simmons scored 18 points and freshman Ty Lazenby added 17 points in the Sonora tournament win.
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