SACRAMENTO — The atmosphere at the Golden 1 Center electrified Friday night as NBA superstar LeBron James made his entrance, reminiscent of a rock star arriving on stage. Cheers erupted from the crowd, with fans leaping from their seats to capture the moment as James, accompanied by his wife and young daughter, settled into courtside seats to support his son, Bryce, who was competing for Sierra Canyon in the Division I state championship against Stockton Lincoln.

Despite being sidelined due to a groin injury and having another son, Bronny, playing in a separate game for the Lakers in Denver, James’s presence drew one of the largest crowds seen at a Friday night state final, with 8,396 attendees. His support proved pivotal, as Sierra Canyon mounted a thrilling fourth-quarter rally to secure a tense 58-53 victory.

Game Recap

Sierra Canyon (27-7) faced a challenging first half, trailing by four points at the break while shooting just one-for-thirteen from beyond the arc. However, Maximo Adams led the charge in the fourth quarter, hitting a crucial three-point shot with 1:52 remaining, reversing the trailblazer’s fate as they surged to a 51-50 lead after a dismal shooting performance of three-for-23 from three-point range prior to that moment.

“My coaches tell me to keep shooting, so why not let it fly,” Adams remarked following the game. The Trailblazers followed up with a basket from Bryce Cofield, a three-point play from Adams, and two additional free throws, solidifying their position.

In terms of scoring, Gavin Hightower contributed 15 points, while Adams finished with 14 points. Cofield and Stephen Kankole chipped in with 11 and 10 points, respectively. For Lincoln, Donez Lindsey and Anthony Moore each had standout performances, scoring 18 points. Lincoln coach expressed concerns about officiating, noting that the Trailblazers had a significant advantage at the free-throw line, converting 20 of 30 attempts.

Reflecting on the victory, Sierra Canyon coach Andre Chevalier stated, “This was hard as heck. We’re going to hang this banner like it’s the world championship.” After the game, James extended a hand to help an opponent, showcasing sportsmanship that resonated with Moore, who said, “That was crazy. I’ll remember that.” Chevalier also called the achievement his best coaching job, attributing it to overcoming various challenges throughout the season.

Division III Highlights

In Division III, San Gabriel Academy claimed their first state title with a narrow 52-51 win against King’s Academy. Mahamadou Diop, a promising 6-foot-11 sophomore center from Mali, emerged as a talent to watch, finishing with an impressive 20 points, 13 rebounds, and seven blocks. Diop described his aspiration, stating, “My dream is to go to NBA.” His performance included significant contributions in the first half, with three dunks helping his team maintain a lead.

Despite late-game turnovers that allowed King’s Academy to close the gap, San Gabriel held on for the victory, with coach Daniel Piepoli expressing relief as they secured their championship after a tense finish.

Division V Recap

In Division V, San Francisco International triumphed over Diamond Ranch with a score of 71-52. Conor Maguire shone with a stellar performance, scoring 32 points that fueled the team’s comeback from a six-point deficit at halftime. Diamond Ranch’s Michael Salazar contributed 14 points before fouling out, leaving the team in a difficult position as the game progressed.

Salazar lamented the end of his high school career while coach Kevin Ryan reflected on the effort and dedication his players exhibited, recognizing the challenges they faced.