Boys’ basketball: The St. Bernard turnaround story

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Last season, the boys’ basketball team at St. Bernard in Playa del Rey was 4-23. On Friday, the Vikings (26-8) will be playing for the state Division V championship in Sacramento against Alameda St. Joseph Notre Dame.

They have become the turnaround story of the season under first-year Coach Reggie Morris Jr., who built Lawndale Leuzinger into a powerhouse, coached Russell Westbrook, then lost his teaching job and ended up at St. Bernard.

Sophomore Brandon Randolph, a 6-foot-3 transfer from Leuzinger, is averaging 18 points for the Vikings. The 6-2 Thurman Thomas is averaging 15.7.

Morris said the players have bought into his system and have played a strong schedule to prepare for the championship game.

-- Eric Sondheimer