A big crowd showed up at the Save Mart Center on Saturday night to see Bronny and Bryce James, the sons of NBA and Lakers star LeBron James.
Fans pulled out their phones and took video of Bronny James during warmups before his Sierra Canyon team play San Joaquin Memorial to cap the day-long Heart of California Classic high school basketball showcase.
It was a close game in the first quarter as the visiting Trailblazers led 12-11. Sierra Canyon pulled away just before the half to take a 32-22 lead and won 53-44 before 5,137 fans.
Memorial’s Armari Carraway, center, looks for an outlet as Sierra Canyon’s Ashton Hardaway, left, son of former NBA player Penny Hardaway, and Bronny James, son of current NBA player LeBron James, guard him during their game at the Save Mart Center in Fresno on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
Justin Pippen, right, son of former NBA player Scottie Pippen, of Sierra Canyon, dribbles down court as Memorial’s Abram Potts defends during their game at the Save Mart Center in Fresno on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
Leading the way for the Panthers was Armari Carraway who had game-high honors with 14 points. Mike Davis Jr. added 11 points.
Ashton Hardaway, the son of Penny Hardaway, finished with 12 points. Bronny James chipped in with five points, five rebounds and six assists. Bryce James didn’t play.
Clovis North wins title
Earlier in the day, Clovis North beat Bullard 75-54 in the championship game of the Valley Children’s Tip-Off Invitational.
Jordan Espinoza paced Clovis North with 17 points, while Jaylen Bryant added 16 points and 10 rebounds.
Jaleel Jackson finished with 15 points for the Knights.
Clovis North led 43-15 at halftime.
Other results at the Save Mart Center
Here’s how other teams fared at the Heart of California Classic:
Granada-Livermore 79, Monterey Trail-Elk Grove 58
St. Joseph 92, Bakersfield Christian 60
Sanger 62, Clovis 40
Edison 70, Hanford West 57
Redwood-Larkspur 63, Arroyo Grande 38
Hoover 70, Lemoore 52
Clovis East 71, Newark Memorial 34
Sierra Canyon’s Bryce Cofield, left, goes to the hoop as Memorial’s Mike Davis Jr. defends during their game at the Save Mart Center in Fresno on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
Clovis North’s Max Landon charges downcourt on a fast break before scoring against Bullard in the championship game of Valley Children’s Tip-Off Invitational at the Save Mart Center on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022. Clovis North defeated Bullard 75-54. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
Clovis North’s Jaylen Bryant goes to the hoop while guarded by Bullard’s Kyshawn Johnson in the championship game of Valley Children’s Tip-Off Invitational at the Save Mart Center on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022. Clovis North defeated Bullard 75-54. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
This story was originally published December 3, 2022 at 11:47 PM.
Anthony Galaviz writes about sports for The Fresno Bee. He covers the Las Vegas Raiders, high schools, boxing, MMA and junior colleges. He’s been with The Bee since 1997 and attended Fresno City College before graduating from Fresno State with a major in journalism and a minor in criminology. Support my work with a digital subscription
