Defending state girls champion Etiwanda cruises in opening win

If you sit close enough to Etiwanda girls basketball coach Stan Delus, you will hear a running commentary of likes and dislikes.

“Bang,” he yells out when he thinks one of his players is going to make an outside shot.

“Ball on the floor,” he yells when he expects his players to hustle for a loose ball.

“Oh my goodness,” he complains after a defensive letdown.

The coach of the two-time defending state champion Eagles was in a good mood Wednesday in his team’s season-opening game at the Harvard-Westlake tournament. Missing three potential starters, the Eagles still cruised to a 68-24 victory over Corona Centennial, showing off strong shooting and a strong defense.

Shaena Brew, who broke her ankle last December, looked healthy and confident, finishing with 20 points. Arynn Finley had 17 points.

“I really like this group,” Delus said.

Two transfers still need to become eligible and point guard Aliyahna Morris was held out while nursing an injury.

The players appreciated Delus being more calm than normal. “He was actually more chill today,” Brew said.

Sage Hill 69, Windward 58: Sophomore Kamdyn Klamberg scored 20 points and point guard Amalia Holguin added 18 points in a Harvard-Westlake tournament win for Sage Hill. Freshman Eve Fowler added 12 points. Olivia Lagao had 26 points and freshman Amel Cook added 15 points for Windward, which closed to within six points in the fourth quarter after trailing by as many as 16 points.

Boys basketball

Bishop Montgomery 78, Palm Desert 37: Coach Doug Mitchell picked up win No. 800 in his 36 years as head coach. Terron Williams scored 20 points and Kyle Sanders had 13 points and 16 rebounds.

Loyola 48, Trabuco Hills 46: Quincy Watson contributed 14 points for the Cubs.

Harvard-Westlake 68, La Salle 36: Nik Khamenia had 17 points and Dominique Bentho contributed 11 points and 11 rebounds for the Wolverines (2-0).

Viewpoint 80, Hueneme 30: Luke Jacobs had 20 points for Viewpoint.

St. Anthony 73, Leuzinger 55: Aman Haynes had 21 points and 12 rebounds for 2-0 St. Anthony.

Inglewood 76, Mayfair 51: Jason Crowe Jr. scored 27 points in his Inglewood debut.

Crescenta Valley 62, Royal 54: Vaughn Zargarian finished with 34 points for the Falcons. Ace Arnold had 23 points for Royal.

Foothill 62, Downey 51: Kai Nixon had 17 points for Foothill.

San Gabriel Academy 64, Saugus 60: Bryce Mejia led Saugus with 23 points.

Arcadia 61, West Covina 21: Noa Eteuati Edwards had 19 points for Arcadia.