Pali Hoop Dreams’ 9U Blue squad captured the Division 1 boys basketball championship Sunday at Cal State Northridge, defeating California Swing 29-22 in the final. The PHD team got a first-round bye and won its semifinal game 17-2 to reach the final, where it held the Brentwood-based Swing to five points in the second half.
Leading the way for PHD in the title game was Flynn Messick, who finished with 11 points, 19 rebounds and six steals. Xander Garrett made clutch baskets when needed and Zach Glassman sealed the victory on a three-pointer near the end of the game. Saxon Wald and Victor Lowe pulled down key rebounds, Lukas Haas and Henry Mariscal played aggressive defense and Owen Clark ran the offense at point guard.
Head coach Paul Davis and assistants Brian Barner and Lebre Merritt all played under James Paleno at Palisades High.
Five of PHD’s six teams made it to at least the second round. The 9U Orange and 10U teams advanced to the second round in Division 2 and the 11U Blue and 13U teams advanced to the second round in Division 1.
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