Pasadena Rings Up Bell

By Corey Kowk

(Pasadena) – Fans packing the bleachers at Pasadena High’s Tom Hamilton Gym were treated to an unrelenting defensive clinic put on by the host Bulldogs, who surged ahead 10-0 in the first 90 seconds and went on to rout Bell 77-44 Saturday night in the second round of the CIF State Southern California Regionals.

_Pasadena shot 70% (making 14 of 20 shots) in the first stanza to go up 29-8, then raised its lead to 36 points (53-17) at halftime before emptying its reserves in the third quarter and coasting to the win.

Blake Hamilton delivered a brilliant piece de resistance for the Bulldogs, hitting 10 of 11 shots and burying all three of his 3-point attempts for 23 first half points. Hamilton finished with 25 to lead all scorers and also picked up 6 boards, 3 assists, and 4 steals. John John Haywood, along with Perris Hicks and the other starters, all played huge roles in causing havoc upon the Eagles for Pasadena’s “King D”, which forced 24 turnovers (10 in first quarter alone).

Ajon Efferson wheeled out 5 dishes and scored 12 while Brandon Jolley racked up another 10 points and 8 rebounds with a block in the post. De Angelo Stowers marked up 9 points in the second half to lead the Pasadena bench platoon.

Bell had three players end in double figure points, led by Angel Grimaldi (12), Mychal Dees (11), and double-doubler Jesus Chiquete (10 points, 11 rebounds). Bell closes the curtain
on its season at 22-6 with laurels of an Eastern league title and LA City Section D3 championship.

Pasadena (27-6) advances to the Elite Eight of CIF State D3 and will host its Southern California region semifinal at Monrovia High School against St. John Bosco Tuesday night. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00pm. St. John Bosco, a CIFSS 3A semifinalist, hails from the taxing Trinity league (features the likes of Mater Dei and Orange Lutheran) and comes off a 79-75 overtime victory over CIFSS 3AA champion Calabasas.

Pasadena: 29, 24, 14, 10  – 77

Bell:             8,    9, 15, 12 — 44

P — Hamilton 25, Efferson 12, Jolley 10, Stowers 9, Haywood 6, Jeffery McClendon 4, Chris Hanayan 3, Toyama 2, Johnson 2, Hicks 2, Raymond Jackson 2

B — Grimaldi 12, Dees 11, Chiquete 10, Cesar Renteria 4, Keith Blackstone 3, Alfredo Renteria 2, Daniel Lopez 2

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