CIF high school boys basketball: Bishop Alemany uses size to win CIF Division III state champion 63-53 over Santa Cruz

By Thomas Frey Mar 8, 2024, 6:00pm

Warriors execute in every phase of game to bring home second state crown.

In a physical battle contested in the paint, Bishop Alemany (Mission Hills) topped Santa Cruz 63-53 in the CIF Division III state championship.

It's the second state title for the Warriors, who also won the Division III crown in 2012.

All night Alemany big men Bourgeois Tshilobo and sophomore Samuel Mbingazo were contesting every shot in the paint, changing the direction on seemingly every Cardinals opportunity. Mbingazo had two blocks in the first half and finished with three.

"We have to win the paint points and that's our No. 1 focus night in and night out, night in and night out," said Bishop Alemany head coach Mike Dulaney. "We want to win the paint points and I think we did that the last 10 games."

On the offensive end seniors Jared Mims and Michael Lindsay were money. Lindsay had 25 points while Mims tallied up 14. Mims was also resilient on defense, stealing the ball eight times.

"I'm just super happy," Lindsay said. "I never would have imagined this freshman year because it's a grind. To be able to win it is a great feeling. The people around me they really helped me out a lot."
Bishop Alemany won the CIF Division III state championship 63-53 over Santa Cruz. (Photo: David Steutel)
Bishop Alemany won the CIF Division III state championship 63-53 over Santa Cruz. (Photo: David Steutel)
Alemany continued to take advantage in the second half as the lead grew to as many as 16 points.



"We allowed their length to bother us quite a bit," said Santa Cruz head coach Lawan Milhouse. "That pretty much dictated the outcome of the game. When you get to this stage that can't happen."

Santa Cruz would not go away, cutting the lead to as low as eight points. Sophomore Demarco Hunter played big all night, scoring 22 points and pulling down 12 rebounds.

Santa Cruz senior Ben Dotten put up numbers in all five categories by recording 15 points, seven rebounds, four assists, four blocks and three steals.