Bryce James leads Sierra Canyon boys basketball team to victory against Grayson at Hoophall Classic; Tounde Yessoufou guides Santa Maria St. Joseph to win

The last time the Sierra Canyon High boys basketball team competed at the Army National Guard Hoophall Classic presented by Spalding, Bryce James didn’t play for the Trailblazers in a heartbreaking one-point setback two years ago against Christopher Columbus of Florida.

Sierra Canyon returned Saturday to Blake Arena in Springfield, Mass., with the Arizona-bound James earning most valuable player honors after producing 16 points, five rebounds and four assists in a 60-46 victory against Grayson High from Georgia.

Max Adams added 17 points, seven rebounds and three assists for Sierra Canyon (16-3), which extended its winning streak to five in a row.

The Trailblazers held a five-point lead at halftime, but put the game out of reach by outscoring Grayson (17-2) by a 19-9 margin in the third quarter.

KJ Garris was the only Grayson athlete to score in double figures with 14 points.

Jayden Alexander had eight points, Bryce Cofield contributed seven points and five rebounds, with Steph Kankole adding six points for Sierra Canyon.

Santa Maria St. Joseph 61, Holy Innocents Episcopal (Georgia) 57: Following a 23-point effort, Baylor commit Tounde Yessoufou elevated to the No. 7 scorer in California prep history to help the Knights (18-1) secure victory Saturday at Blake Arena.

Tounde Yessoufou of Santa Maria St. Joseph | Photo courtesy of Hoophall Classic

Yessoufou, who added eight rebounds and five steals, has 3,261 points in his career for St. Joseph, which extended its lead to 11 points with six minutes remaining, before holding off a late run by Holy Innocents (13-3), which was led by 21 points and 15 rebounds from Caleb Wilson.

Malcolm Price contributed 14 points and six rebounds, Julius Price added 13 points and five rebounds, with Gunner Morinini scoring 11 points for St. Joseph, which extended its winning streak to seven in a row.

Paul VI (Virginia) 60, St. John Bosco 57: The Braves (18-3) fell behind 33-18 at halftime and despite a second-half surge, endured a disappointing setback Saturday at Blake Arena.

Chris Komin had 16 points for St. John Bosco, which outscored Paul VI (13-3) by a 20-6 margin in the third quarter.

Christian Collins added 12 points and 11 rebounds, with Elzie Harrington and Howie Vu both scoring 10 points apiece for the Braves, who lost for the third time in seven contests after opening the season with 14 consecutive victories.

Jordan Smith, Jr. led Paul VI with 19 points, six rebounds and five assists and Lawrence Brown had 13 points and five assists for the Panthers, who rallied from a two-point deficit in the final three minutes and sank clutch free throws down the stretch to secure the victory.

Christopher Columbus (Florida) 76, Sherman Oaks Notre Dame 53: The Explorers (16-3) earned a wire-to-wire victory Saturday at Blake Arena, led by 25 points, 15 rebounds and six assists from Cameron Boozer.

Cayden Boozer added 19 points and seven rebounds, with Caleb Gaskins contributing 24 points and 11 rebounds for Christopher Columbus, which led 34-18 at halftime.

Caleb Ogbu scored 16 points, NaVarro Bowman had 10 points and Tyran Stokes added nine points for Notre Dame, which suffered a loss for the third time in eight contests after starting the season with a 12-game winning streak.