Montgomery comes through when it counts to capture first CIF-San Diego Section Open Division boys basketball championship

OCEANSIDE – Montgomery High was on the verge of winning the CIF-San Diego Section Open Division boys basketball title last season, only to watch as Jake Hall and his Carlsbad teammates produced a timely six-point run in the final three minutes to deny the Aztecs a championship celebration for the second year in a row.

Not only did top-seeded Montgomery get its rematch Friday night at Frontwave Arena, but the Aztecs also demonstrated their maturation and motivation down the stretch against Hall and the rest of the Carlsbad lineup.

Post-game interviews

Hall converted a three-point play with 6:25 remaining to bring the second-seeded Lancers within four, but Montgomery responded with nine unanswered points during a two-minute stretch and No. 2 Carlsbad never got closer than four the rest of the way, as the Aztecs captured their first Open Division crown with a 53-45 victory, the program’s first section title since winning a Division 2 championship in 1996.

Both teams are scheduled to compete in the state playoffs starting Tuesday, with the pairings expected to be released Sunday.

Hall had 19 points last year against Montgomery in a 56-47 victory at UC San Diego to lead Carlsbad to its first Open Division title.

Although Hall did elevate to the No. 11 all-time scorer in California prep history Friday with 3,059 points, surpassing former Glendora High star Tracy Murray, the senior guard finished with 14 points and eight rebounds, as Montgomery’s defensive effort focused two and three competitors on the UC San Diego commit throughout the contest.

Xair Mendez had a game-high 22 points and eight rebounds, with fellow senior Devin Hamilton contributing 13 points and seven rebounds for Montgomery (29-2), which suffered a loss to Saint Augustine in the 2023 Open Division final, before enduring the setback to Carlsbad last season.

Alek Sanchez scored eight points, including a pair of 3-pointers, with fellow senior JJ Sanchez contributing six points, six rebounds and five assists for the Aztecs, who held a one-point halftime lead and extended the advantage to 31-28 entering the fourth quarter.

Hall surpassed Murray after making a layup and converting a free throw early in the fourth quarter, but the No. 2 career scorer in San Diego Section history managed only a 3-pointer with three minutes left the rest of the contest.

Carlsbad (25-5) still managed a late push, with a layup by Jordan Garner and a three-point play from Jett Kenady closing the deficit to 47-43 with 1:32 remaining, but Montgomery showcased poise and composure, as JJ Sanchez and Mendez combined for six straight points during the next 75 seconds to secure the victory.

The Aztecs made only 10 of 22 free-throw attempts, including six of 12 opportunities at the line in the fourth quarter, but Carlsbad was unable to capitalize in the crucial moments Friday like the Lancers did a year ago.

Jordan Garner had 10 points and nine rebounds, with Kenady adding eight points and eight rebounds for the Lancers, who also won a Division 1 title in 2022 and were attempting to become only the second boys basketball program in section history to secure back-to-back Open Division championships, following Saint Augustine in 2022-23.

Montgomery, which has won 11 in a row entering the state playoffs, became the first boys program to appear in three consecutive Open Division finals.