Boys’ basketball: A son says goodbye to his father, then scores 29 points

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It was a tough day for sophomore Brendan Hempstead of La Canada. He said goodbye to his father, Todd, who died of cancer on Friday and had his funeral on Monday afternoon. The entire La Canada basketball team went to the funeral.

Then, in the evening, Hempstead decided to play for the Spartans in their La Canada tournament opener against Besant Hill, and he scored 29 points in a 62-51 victory. He made seven of 12 three-pointers. He also played last weekend in the Arroyo tournament.

‘It’s been a good relief for him,’ Coach Tom Hofman said. ‘His dad was a huge basketball fan. He was Brendan’s biggest fan. Brendan showed up with a purpose tonight.’

-- Eric Sondheimer