CHATSWORTH — Immortality.
It fills the Sierra Canyon gymnasium. Banners, trophies and plaques. Anywhere you look, some sort of history is in the gym. But one thing is missing — a jersey.
USC guard JuJu Watkins sat on the Sierra Canyon bench for one last time, and just seconds later, the PA announcer gave her one last intro during halftime in a game between Sierra Canyon and Notre Dame boys’ basketball. She walked to midcourt, where her jersey waited for her in frame. Cheers filled the gymnasium, and she made school history once again.
She became the first athlete in Sierra Canyon history to have their jersey retired, and for good reason.
During her time at Sierra Canyon, she was an Open Division CIF champion, Open Division state champion, National champion, McDonald’s All-American, Gatorade National and state player of the year, Naismith player of the year and the nation’s top-ranked player.But as her former coach gave a speech before her name was called.
The accomplishments are special, but they aren’t what make JuJu, Juju. It’s her character.
“Her commitment to being a student athlete, her work ethic, her competitiveness, her humility raised the standards for everyone who would ever wear these colors,” Sierra Canyon girls basketball head coach Alicia Komaki said.
All of those traits are clear when you watch Watkins be herself. Whether it’s on social media or the bench at USC games. Her personality is contagious.
The contagiousness helped make the decision. A big part of the immortality and legacy she’ll leave behind at Sierra Canyon is that contagious energy. It filled the halls here and led to multiple people agreeing on the decision.
“I think the greatest thing for me was that this was agreed upon by multiple people,” Komaki said. “And it wasn’t just that I threw it out there, and they said, ‘Yeah, that’s a good idea.’ It was other people’s idea, and other people thought that she should be the first one.
“Really full of pride, and, more than anything, just happy for her, because I know what this means to her and her family. And when she was here, we talked about legacy, and nothing’s really greater legacy for high school again, her jersey retired.”
Boys basketball holds on against Notre Dame
The Sierra Canyon gym was loud before tipoff.
The Trailblazers have plenty of star power, led by senior forward Maxi Adams, a North Carolina commit, and senior guard Brandon McCoy, the No. 3 player in California in the 247Sports rankings.
Sierra Canyon (15-1, 2-0) honored her legacy with a 78-74 win over Notre Dame (13-6, 0-2).
The Knights kept it close throughout and led 33-28 at halftime. A 13-8 run in the second quarter helped Notre Dame build the lead behind junior guard Navorro Bowman.
Bowman finished with 36 points, including six 3-pointers. He stayed engaged during timeouts and stoppages as his big night drew plenty of attention.
Sierra Canyon took control in the second half. A 14-3 Trailblazers run in the third quarter proved to be the difference.
McCoy found his rhythm and made plays at the rim. He had a putback dunk in the final minute of the third quarter that lifted the crowd and helped Sierra Canyon carry its lead into the fourth.
In the fourth quarter, Adams and McCoy hit key shots to secure the win. The defense on Bowman tightened, and Notre Dame struggled to find clean looks down the stretch.
Senior forward Brannon Martinsen scored 18 points for Sierra Canyon, and sophomore guard Jordan Mize added 12. Notre Dame senior guard Zachary White scored 12 and was the Knights’ second-leading scorer.
Sierra Canyon plays Loyola next on Jan. 13. Notre Dame plays Chaminade on the same date.
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