Loss in state playoffs ends Laguna Hills’ historic boys basketball season

LAGUNA HILLS – The history-making season ended Tuesday for the Laguna Hills boys basketball team.

The Hawks, who three days earlier won the school’s first CIF Southern Section boys basketball championship, lost to Vasquez, 93-79, in a CIF Southern California Regional Division IV first-round game at Laguna Hills High.

Laguna Hills finished 18-12. The Hawks won the CIF-SS Division 4 championship Saturday with a 78-51 win over Ramona at Azusa Pacific University.

Their season was ended by an opponent that had lost to Gardena Serra, 89-80, in the CIF-SS Division 5 semifinals on Feb. 20. Vasquez, the only high school in Acton, an Antelope Valley community, was a fast and sharpshooting team Tuesday.

Laguna Hills coach Sean Sargeant was disappointed with Tuesday’s result but could still appreciate what was accomplished.

“I’m proud of the boys,” Sargeant said. “It’s not the way you want to go out, but we had a heck of a run.”

Vasquez (27-6), which is home against Moreno Valley in the Division IV second round on Thursday, was 35 for 61 on all shots (57 percent) and 14 for 26 (54 percent on 3-point shots.

Laguna Hills made 28 of its 65 shots (43 percent) and 14 for 46 (30 percent) on its 3-point tries.

Sargeant was impressed by Vasquez’ Mustangs.

“They couldn’t miss,” Sergeant said. “Like I said at the end of the game the other night (Saturday), when we hit our shots we’re hard to beat. But we didn’t make shots tonight and they did.”

Laguna Hills sophomore guard Fletcher Freeman scored 30 points including six 3-point baskets. Senior forward Jackson Burnham scored 26 points with 10 rebounds for the Hawks. Junior forward Myles Mittelsteadt added 12 points, six rebounds and blocked two shots.

Vasquez had five players score in double figures led by sophomore guard Carter Parker’s 27 points with four 3-pointers. He went into the game averaging 11 points.

Mustangs 5-8 junior guard Noah Rowley scored 18 points and 5-7 junior guard Daeron Bankett scored 17 points.

The teams combined for 46 points in the fast-paced first quarter that ended with Vasquez on top, 24-22. The Mustangs scored the first 11 points of the second quarter to make it 35-22, They had a 46-33 lead at halftime.

Laguna Hills cut its deficit to eight points twice in the third quarter and once in the fourth quarter, but could get no closer than that.

Even with victory beyond reach, the Hawks played the final moments like every possession could turn the game around.

“They’re fighters and they’re passionate,” Sergeant said. “They love it. You can tell by the way they play.

“No one sees the unseen hours. I see it all the time, at 6 a.m. and on the late nights. They’re great boys and I love them to death.”