The Damien High School boys basketball team has earned a spot in the CIF State playoffs after a decisive victory over Etiwanda in the Open Division qualifier. The Spartans triumphed with a score of 59-46 on Friday night during a tense matchup that had significant implications for both teams.
Located in La Verne, California, Damien”s victory not only secures their entry into the state playoffs but also sets the stage for a wait until March 1 to determine their next opponent. The Spartans finished the game with a record of 27 wins and 7 losses, while Etiwanda concluded its season at 26 wins and 4 losses, marking an end to their campaign in the Open Division.
This season saw a new format for the CIF-Southern Section Open Division, which included twelve teams split into four pools of three. The top eight teams advanced to the single-elimination phase and automatically qualified for the state playoffs. The remaining teams competed in play-in games to fill the ninth and tenth slots. Damien, entering as the No. 10 seed, faced setbacks in previous matches, losing to No. 2 seed Santa Margarita and No. 7 seed Harvard-Westlake. Etiwanda, seeded No. 11, also faced challenges, losing to No. 3 seed Redondo Union and No. 6 seed Corona Centennial.
Damien”s head coach, Mike LeDuc, reflected on the pressure of the play-in game, stating, “It was fun but also a little bit of self-inflicted pressure. We really wanted to go forward into the eight-team knockout round, and obviously, we were disappointed when Etiwanda beat us at home a few weeks ago. We really wanted to play well.” The Spartans executed their game plan effectively, showcasing a strong performance.
Junior guard Zaire Rasshan was the standout player, leading the scoring with 20 points. He was supported by seniors Eli Garner and Elijah Smith, who contributed 15 and 16 points, respectively. The Spartans had previously split their two encounters with Etiwanda before the playoffs, winning the first contest and losing the subsequent league tournament final.
Rasshan expressed the team”s determination, saying, “There was no other team in the world we wanted to play. We were like we just have to bring it home. If we play to our best, we”ll win every time. We just had to come out and show it.” After a closely contested first half, which ended with Damien leading 33-30, the game turned in the third quarter.
After Etiwanda”s Devin Mitchell scored early in the second half, bringing the score to 33-32, Damien”s defense tightened significantly. The Spartans unleashed a 15-0 run, culminating in a commanding 48-32 lead by the end of the quarter. This surge was fueled by multiple turnovers forced by Damien and ineffective offensive attempts by Etiwanda. Rasshan played a pivotal role during this stretch, scoring seven points that helped extend the lead.
While Etiwanda managed to break the scoring drought with free throws in the fourth quarter, they struggled to make field goals until late in the game. Ultimately, Damien”s defense proved too strong, and they maintained their lead to secure the victory. Mitchell led Etiwanda with 16 points, while teammates Achillies Orji and Isaiah Benn each added 10 points.
This win marks a significant achievement for Damien as they advance to the CIF State playoffs, with hopes of continuing their successful season.
