California D5 championship: Sierra Canyon wins first crown

Pregame
Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth) (25-4) vs. University (San Francisco) (28-7)

Terrific Trios: Sierra Canyon — Cody Riley (15.5), Devearl Ramsey (13.4), Adam Seiko (11.4). University — Brandon Lew, Naod Sebhatleab, Brian Palmigiano.
State record: SC 0-0, U 0-3.
Key points: Both teams average 67 ppg. … Sierra Canyon is ranked 19th nationally by MaxPreps.com.

Final score: Sierra Canyon 80, University 55

BERKELEY — While watching film of Sierra Canyon all week, University coach Randy Bessolo said "I thought I was watching an NBA team."

At least on Friday he got a front row seat. For free.

The Trailblazers, who really deserved to be in the state's top Open Division, showed in spots why they are the nation's No. 19 team according to the MaxPreps computer rankings.

Cody Riley, a 6-foot-8 post and one of the most coveted sophomores in the country, had 18 points and a division record 22 rebounds.

Remy Martin, a lightning bolt 5-11 guard, had 19 points and seven steals. Devearl Ramsey and Terrance McBride added 13 points apiece as the Trailblazers (26-4), who played a national schedule, won their first state title.

"They're that good and they have everyone coming back," Bessolo said. "I don't really want to see them here next year."

Bessolo was actually looking forward to the challenge, but when the Red Devils found themselves in a 14-0 hole, it was all uphill.

They ran off the final seven points of the first quarter and the last 10 in final 2:02 of the first half to close to 36-23. But that's as close as they got.

When Sierra Canyon opened the second half with a 13-2 run, the Trailblazers were gone.

Most figured they would battle Mater Dei and the likes for the Open Division title, but when it 65-60 to Etiwanda in the Southern Section Open quarterfields, everything shifted.

"This is a phenomenal group and for them to stay humble and hungry is a testament to who they are," Sierra Canyon coach Ty Nichols said. "It's also a reflection of the school which and the culture of excellence from the top on down. I'm thrilled for our players to win a first state title."

Bessolo was equally proud of his squad.

"Those guys were definitely at another level,” Bessolo said. “We showed spurts, but they obviously had a lot more of them. None of it takes away from a great season and the fact we made it here.”

Sierra Canyon 80, University 55

SIERRA CANYON (26-4)
Remy Martin 6-12 7-8 19, Cody Riley 7-9 4-10 18, Terrance McBride 4-8 5-6 13, Devearl Ramsey 6-13 0-0 13, Adam Seiko 2-7 1-2 6, Michael Feinberg 3-6 0-0 6, Ben Messinger 1-1 0-0 3, Robbie Feinberg 1-4 0-2 2. Totals 30-63 17-30 80.

UNIVERSITY (28-8)
Naod Sebhatleb 2-5 0-1 5, Brandon Lew 4-16 6-11 15, Brian Palmigiano 1-5 0-0 3, Mattie Mrlik 4-13 0-0 8, Sean Gilmore 4-12 0-2 10, Ryan Lipton 3-6 0-0 9, Brian Cami 1-1 3-3 5. Totals 19-59 9-17 55.

Sierra Canyon  16  20  17  27  — 80
University         10  13  15  17  — 55

3-point goals: Lipton 3, Gilmore 2, Sebhatleab, Lew, Palmigiano, Ramsey, Seiko, Messinger. Rebounds: Sierra Canyon 54 (Riley 22), University 32 (Sebhatleab 7, Gilmore 7). Turnovers: Sierra Canyon 17, University 18.