Pali High Hoops Teams Drop Openers

By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor

The Palisades Charter High School boys basketball team was not only without players it had expected would be on the court for the Monday, November 13, season opener at Sherman Oaks Notre Dame, it was without its coaches as well.

On Sunday afternoon, November 12, Athletic Director Rocky Montz confirmed head coach Donzell Hayes and his staff were asked to step away from the program in lieu of an investigation into the program by City Commissioner Vicky Lagos after nine players transferred in over the summer.

By tip-off time, only Mohammed Butler—who spent last year at IMG Academy—was donning the new black jersey with “Sades” across the chest. Two others, Eli Levy from Santa Monica and Devin Carey from Loyola, are serving sit-out periods.

Darren Morrison, one of Hayes’ longtime assistants, was running practices leading up to the start of the season, but with rumors swirling that Palisades would back out of the scheduled contest versus last year’s CIF Division I state champion, Montz served as acting coach on the bench Monday, and girls coaches Adam Levine and LeBre Merritt stepped in to assist following the preceding girls game.

“We’re conducting interviews tomorrow,” said Assistant Principal Adam Licea, who was also at the game. “Rocky and I will continue to do it until someone is cleared and ready to go.”

Even without Sierra Canyon transfer Bryce James (son of LA Lakers star LeBron James), who will not be available until December 24, the Knights had more than enough firepower to build an 18-0 lead before Aten Hassan finally got Palisades on the scoreboard with a free throw with 2:30 left in the first quarter.

Notre Dame led 48-9 at halftime, and by then, the overmatched Dolphins had been whistled for 14 personal fouls.

University of Houston commit Mercy Miller finished with 33 points, and Angelino Marks added 25 as the Knights won in a dunk fest, 76-27. Donovan Knighten paced the Dolphins with nine points, while Matin Farhangnia and Butler each added six.

In the first leg of his double duty, Levine had the girls ready to play, and they used a 16-4 second-quarter run to take a 27-22 halftime lead. Notre Dame got 17 points from Natalie Villamor and 15 from Amia Witt on its way to winning 68-51, but the Dolphins showed they could compete at a high level.

Freshman forward Riley Oku scored 14 points, sophomore guard Ayla Teegardin scored 10, and guards Alyssa Ramirez and Elly Tierney each added seven for the Dolphins (0-1).

“We’re a young team, but I thought our energy was good and the sky’s the limit,” Teegardin said. “I like the competition. When we play teams like this, our true colors come out.”