Boys basketball sweep past Monrovia

Story by Matthew Tsai
Print Managing Editor

Photo by Jaden Eden
Contributor

In South Pas, positive student reaction to a School Board decision has been just as rare as a truly exciting boys basketball highlight — well, until junior Sage Wayans came to town. And no, he didn’t magically reform the School Board.

Midway through the first quarter of Wednesday’s May 5 game against Monrovia, Wayans checked in and gave South Pas three Instagram-story-worthy plays in as many minutes. Two high-flying breakaway dunks and one devastating volleyball spike block later, boys basketball led the Wildcats by 13. 

Fast forward three quarters, and the Tigers were on the winning side of a 84-48 cakewalk victory. Wayans poured in 32, including 16 in the third, while junior sharpshooter Dillon Akers chipped in 14 points and senior guard Tyler Johnson threw in 12.

Other than Wayans, who finished with four dunks, the three ball was South Pas’ best friend. 24 of the home team’s 50 first-half points came from beyond the arc: three from junior guard Mark Zhang, a pair from T. Johnson, and one at the top of the key from (guess who?) Wayans.

The Tigers didn’t just outscore the Wildcats; they outhustled them, too. With an arsenal of tall and long defenders, South Pas made Monrovia’s night a living nightmare, holding the latter to only 11 and 10 points in the first and second, respectively.

In the third quarter, South Pas took its comfortable lead to a whole nother level. Heading into the final period, the home team led 77-32. With the game practically over, the officials implemented a running clock, and the Tigers waltzed to their third Rio Hondo League win, which bumps them up to 3-2 in third place.

Boys basketball will host San Marino on Friday, May 7, a must-win game if they want a chance at a league title. 

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