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SUN VALLEY — A heated rivalry, good basketball and playoff implications line.
That’s what was on tap as Village Christian defeated Heritage Christian 79-67 in a boys basketball Olympic League showdown Tuesday night.
The win puts the Crusaders (22-5, 5-2 Olympic) tied for first in the league with Pasadena Maranatha (14-12, 5-2) with one game to play. Should both teams win Thursday, they’ll share the league title.
“They are our rivals, and we couldn’t take a loss,” Village Christian senior guard Immanuel Taylor said.
POST GAME: With Immanuel Taylor of @VCSAthletics, talking his performance in win over Heritage Christian. @Tarek_Fattal pic.twitter.com/zflIzBoP9R
— Gabriel Duarte (@GabrielNDuarte_) February 1, 2023
Taylor had the Crusaders’ offense working in overdrive as they scored 28 points in the first quarter, which included six 3-pointers. The way he was controlling their offense was reminiscent of NFL quarterback Patrick Mahomes as Taylor put on a passing clinic, finishing with 10 assists, including one no-look pass.
For Heritage Christian (17-11, 4-4), the shots weren’t falling early. The Warriors let sophomore forward Tae Simmons work down low, where he accounted for 11 of his game-high 19 points in the first half and helped his team only trail 39-33 at halftime. Village Christian’s Will Overton also had 19 points and teammate Thomas Luczak had 16. Heritage Christian’s Seven Bahati added nine points in the losing effort.
Heritage Christian turnovers helped Village Christian expand its lead to double digits in the third quarter, highlighted by a pair of dunks from Overton.
END OF 1🏀: Village Christian 28 Heritage Christian 15. It’s looked a lot like this for Village Christian as they jump to a 13 pt lead in 1st. @Tarek_Fattal pic.twitter.com/iX6XCfcpWj
— Gabriel Duarte (@GabrielNDuarte_) February 1, 2023
In the fourth quarter, Village Christian cruised to a much-needed league win that secured an automatic playoff berth.
“It makes a big difference, playing at home,” Village Christian coach Julian Andrade said.
Andrade continued about Overton’s performance: “He’s just a highflier, and we are expecting good things from him, and he came through big time.”
