Jared McCain, Corona Centennial handle Bronny James, Sierra Canyon in Southern Section pool play

In battle of future college standouts, present social media stars, nationally ranked Huskies use balance, game-high 22 points from McCain to defeat Trailblazers, 68-63

The Corona Centennial crowd was packed and very loud Friday night. Southern Section Open Division playoffs always draw an enthusiastic bunch. 

But this was a little different. The host Huskies, ranked ninth nationally and No. 1 in California, feature Duke-bound point guard Jared McCain. Their opponent Sierra Canyon-Chatsworth stars 4-star guard Bronny James, the son of LeBron James. 

The pair of McDonald All-Americans each carry a massive social media following. 

The crowd, picture-takers and video-makers were in full force as the Huskies took care of business with a terrific 68-63 victory in the opening of Pool A play. 

McCain did his part with a game-high 22 points, including four free throws down the stretch to preserve the hard-earned win. He finished 11 of 13 from the line. Aaron McBride added 16 and Eric Freeny 13 for Centennial (25-3).

Jared McCain (24), Centennial, did it all for the Huskies including a game-high 22 points. Photo: Nick Koza

James scored the first seven points for the Trailblazers (20-8) but finished with just 13. Ashton Hardaway, the son of Penny Hardaway, led Sierra Canyon with 21 points, including five 3-pointers. 

Despite playing without 5-star junior Isaiah Elohim, still out with an ankle injury, Sierra Canyon fought back gamely from a 12-point halftime deficit.

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James' 3-pointer with 22 seconds left cut Centennial's lead to 62-61. After two free throws from McCain, Noah Williams hit a pair of free throws for the Trailblazers with 10.3 seconds left. 

Once again McCain was fouled, he swished both free throws to to extend the lead to 66-63. James missed a 3-pointer with less than four seconds, BJ Taylor was fouled and he clinched the victory with two more free throws with 1.1 seconds left. 

Bronny James (0), Sierra Canyon, scored his team's first seven points and finished with 13. Photo: Nick Koza

Taylor (seven points) hit a key 3-pointer in the fourth quarter to to give Centennial a 58-56 lead after a Hardaway 3-pointer had given Sierra Canyon the lead. 

The Trailblazers came in struggling, having lost three of five and five of seven, the last game of the regular season, an 86-61 thrashing to Notre Dame-Sherman Oaks. 

But Sierra Canyon hung toe-to-tie with the defending state Open Division champs, taking the Huskies' best shot, a 19-6 run in the second quarter which put Centennial up 36-24 at halftime. 

The Trailblazers responded with a 13-2 run to start the second half, capped with a 3-pointer by Hardaway to close to 38-37. After three free throws from McCain, another jumper by Hardaway and a 3-pointer from Osiris Nalls gave Sierra Canyon its first lead, 42-41, since James' 7-2 run to start the game.

Centennial is battle tested and fought right back with a big run of its own, 12-4 capped with a fastbreak hoop by McCain to go up 53-46 early in the fourth quarter. 

Most figured the Trailblazers might wilt. Instead, they respond with seven straight to tie at 53-53, started with a Hardaway inside bucket, a putback by James and a Hardaway 3-pointer. 

The action was end-to-end, from start to finish. Photo: Nick Koza

After a driving layup from Freeny, Hardaway gave Sierra Canyon its last lead, 56-55 with 2:41 left. Taylor's 3-pointer put Centennial up for good and McCain followed up with a driving deuce.  

There was a big discrepancy from the line: Centennial 22 of 27 while Sierra Canyon was 9 of 10. 

Both teams continue pool play next week (each team plays three games) and the winner of Pool A plays the winner of Pool B for the Section crown. All eight teams in the Open Division advances to CIF Southern California regional play the following week.    

All photos below by Nick Koza

Nick Koza, SBLive Sports