In a highly anticipated California No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup, top-ranked Roosevelt (Eastvale, Calif.) emerged victorious with a thrilling 56-55 overtime win over No. 2 St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.). This victory secured Roosevelt’s second consecutive title at The Classic at Damien, while state No. 7 JSerra (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.) claimed The Holiday Classic championship in San Diego. Despite being ranked ninth in the FAB 50 National Rankings, Roosevelt’s seeding and matchups in the CIF Southern Section open playoffs will be determined by computer rankings.
The championship game at The Classic at Damien Platinum Division saw an intense battle between the No. 9 and No. 10 teams in the FAB 50 rankings, with Roosevelt ultimately edging out St. John Bosco for the win. Last year, Roosevelt also defeated St. John Bosco in the title game, setting the stage for another exciting matchup this season. With this victory, Roosevelt looks forward to a successful season, aiming for a spot in the SoCal open title game and the CIF open title game in March.
Head coach Steve Singleton expressed his pride in his team’s performance, stating, “This is where we belong among the nation’s best teams.” With standout player Brayden Burries leading the charge and earning MVP honors for the second consecutive year, Roosevelt looks poised for continued success. Burries’ stellar performance, including 24 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists in the championship game, was crucial in securing the win.
The game’s outcome hung in the balance as Roosevelt’s Myles Walker missed a crucial free throw in the final seconds of regulation, allowing St. John Bosco to force overtime. Walker redeemed himself in overtime, making key free throws to secure the victory for Roosevelt. The team’s resilience and determination will serve them well as they continue their quest for championship success.
