Boys’ basketball: La Verne Lutheran faces familiar foe

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There was lots of celebrating for La Verne Lutheran after its upset of unbeaten Torrance Bishop Montgomery last week, but that game only got the Trojans into the Southern Section 4AA championship game.

If they want to really celebrate, they’re going to have to knock off a familiar foe, Gardena Serra, on Saturday at noon at the Anaheim Convention Center.

Serra won last year’s championship, beating La Verne Lutheran, 69-59, in the final. Lutheran had Arizona freshman Grant Jarrett on the team. Jarrett will be in town on Saturday, because Arizona plays UCLA in a 6 p.m. game at Pauley Pavilion. It’s doubtful he’ll have time to be in the rooting section.

La Verne Lutheran has shown resiliency this season, winning 18 consecutive games after a slow start.

The Trojans’ 63-59 victory over 29-0 Bishop Montgomery has to be the biggest upset of the playoffs in any division.

‘It was absolute elation,’ Coach Brandon Lee said.

Now, it’s about payback to the Cavaliers.

But Serra is more than ready to take on the Trojans. Guards Ajon Efferson and Ellis Salahuddin finally seemed to have gained a comfort zone playing together. And 6-7 Tavrion Dawson is an emerging star.

-- Eric Sondheimer