Pali High Hoops Snaps Six-Game Skid

By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor

For the second time this season the Palisades Charter High School boys basketball team got to celebrate a win December 30 at St. Lucy’s High, and interim coach LeBre Merritt made sure his players knew how much he believes in them.

The Dolphins (2-11) ended a six-game losing streak with a 61-59 triumph against San Marin in the 15th place game of the Silver Division at The Classic at Damien.

“It’s a pivotal win coming off our meltdown yesterday when we blew a 20-point lead at halftime,” Merritt said. “It was a test of character. We were able to stick together. We’re still learning our personnel but today we were able to get timely stops when it mattered. Even though we lost three of the four games I consider this tournament a win. I didn’t want to cancel it because win or lose this was important for our growth. This is what we needed.”

Muhammed Butler scored 13 points to lead the Dolphins, who outscored San Marin by three points in each of the first two quarters and widened the lead in the third on clutch shooting by Butler and Donovan Knighten, who finished with 12 points.

Palisades saw a 15-point lead at the start of the fourth quarter whittled down to one before Butler was fouled intentionally with 12.1 seconds left. He made the second of two free throws to make it 61-59.

The Mustangs elected to play for the win, but a three-pointer from the corner at the buzzer fell short, and the Dolphins had their first victory since beating University 65-41 in league play December 6.

Nick Cubley scored 24 points for San Marin, including a free throw to pull his squad within 60-59 with 32.5 seconds left. Rio Seiler added 14 for San Marin. Aten Hassan did not play for the Dolphins, having injured his wrist earlier in the tournament.

Cassian Aguet had eight points, Jordan Farhadian had seven, Jack Levey and Matin Farhangnia each had five, and Mike Stewart added two. Levey drained a three-pointer at the buzzer ending the third quarter to give Palisades a 56-41 lead.

“The boys are starting to buy in and believe,” said Merritt, a former Pali High player who took the reins one game into the season after previous coach Donnell Hayes and his staff were asked to step away from the program. “I want them to embrace being the underdog. Teams will underestimate us because of our record so it’s our job to make them pay.”

The night before, Palisades was unable to hold on to a big lead at intermission and lost to Paraclete, 66-62. The Dolphins opened the five-day event versus Lynwood and fell, 78-57. The next day they lost again to St. Monica, 68-52.

“Our goal is to win league,” Merritt said. “This next week of practice is critical. There are a lot of areas we need to improve in, but we’re looking forward to getting back in the gym. League is wide open this year—anyone can win it.”

Palisades is back in action January 10 against Western League rival LACES at 6 p.m.