Patriots’ best season in 20 years ends

By Ramon Scott
Updated: March 18, 2018

Christian High in the sportsmanship line following the SoCal D4 regional championship game on Saturday night.

Christian High players warm up prior to the game on Saturday night.

2018 EAST COUNTY PREP BOYS BASKETBALL

EastCountySports.com staff report

LOS ANGELES – The Christian High boys basketball team lost to View Park Prep, 57-43, in the CIF Southern California Regional Division IV championship game at the Frederick K.C. Price III Christian School Gymnasium on Saturday night, bringing the Patriots’ road run to the state title to an end.

The first quarter was of the rough, physical game pretty wild and resulted in a 12-6 lead for the Knights at the end of one.

Early on, CHRISTIAN WEST scored on an offensive rebound to tie the game at 2-apiece, then moments later, JACKSON LARSEN drove the right side of the lane and banked one high off the glass to keep it tied at 4-all, but Park View moved ahead 8-4 midway though the first.

#10 Jackson Larsen to the basket…6-4!!! pic.twitter.com/S7rwPP2WX5

— CUSSDPatriots (@CUSSDPatriots) March 18, 2018

Both teams switched to a zone defense in the second quarter, but the Patriots just looked out of sync.

Early in the second quarter, Patriot senior NASHOM CARTER hit a short jumped as Christian remained in striking distance at 12-8.

#5 Nashom Carter with the jump shot…8-12!!! pic.twitter.com/vpFNWYqf9I

— CUSSDPatriots (@CUSSDPatriots) March 18, 2018

Thirteenth-seeded Christian (24-10) trailed 22-14 at the half, but out of halftime, the Knights went on a quick 6-2 start, then eventually moved ahead 35-20 with two minutes left in the third period.

Christian High during a timeout on Saturday night.

However, the Patriots put together their most exciting surge of the contest with a 7-0 run to close the quarter, capped by a three from Carter.

Eventually, however, the runners-up to Crenshaw High from the Coliseum League, would pull away and led the Patriots by 20 with just 1:15 to go in the game.

Larsen scored 16 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and had two steals, while Carter scored 13 points, grabbed four rebounds and had two blocked shots.

CHS made just one of 14 from 3-point range against the sixth-seeded Knights (23-7). View Park forced 16 turnovers.