Pasadena Sophomore Darius Mason Has Breakout Game; Bulldogs Onto CIF State Semifinals After 64-57 Road Victory in San Diego

Anyone who thought Pasadena would go away and hide after losing in the CIF-SS Division 1-A title game last week, couldn’t have been more wrong.

And for those who say Bryce Hamilton and Darius Brown II are the only two Bulldogs who can change a game, they too were mistaken.

Sophomore Darius Mason had team-highs with 21 points and 10 rebounds Saturdaynight in San Marcos.

But it was his 15 points and 8 rebounds in the second half that has earned great credit for the Bulldogs moving past Mission Hills, 63-57, in the CIF State Division 2 quarterfinals.

Mason was a remarkable 8 of 12 from the field, had 3 assists, 4 steals and 2 blocked shots.

It is believed to be the first game this season where someone other than Hamilton or Brown II wasn’t the leading scorer

“I knew we needed someone to step up and I was glad to do my part,” Mason said. “I felt in the second quarter like my shot was on and felt good. I am so happy for my team to be able to win another game and continue our season.”

What makes this story even more special for Pasadena is they’ll get a shot to avenge last week’s title loss to Harvard-Westlake.

The Bulldogs will travel to Studio City to take on the Wolverines on Tuesday at 7.

Harvard-Westlake (23-11) earned its semifinal spot by defeating their own Mission League rival, Alemany, 72-64, after losing both regular season games to the Warriors.

Despite the Mission Hills defense keying in on Bryce Hamilton and Darius Brown II, they still did their damage.

Both junior stars had exact stats.

Hamilton and Brown II both scored 16 points, and both were 6 of 14 from the field.

Hamilton had seven rebounds and Brown II had two, but DBII had seven assists and Hamilton had one.

“I’m so proud of Mason,” Brown II said. “We’ve been waiting for a breakout performance from him for so long and that’s what we needed to win. It was a great win, and we’re glad to advance.”

Pasadena (26-5) did get some bench production Saturday, as Jesse Watkins and Justin Taylor combined for 11 points and 5 rebounds.

Quotable:

PHS coach Tony Brooks: “This game was the culmination of a season of lessons. All year we have faced box and 1s, triangle and 2, half-court traps, full-court traps and everything else that you can imagine. After a great start offensively, Mission Hills went to a triangle and 2 in order to stop Bryce and Darius Brown. On many possessions, they were being face guarded by multiple defenders, leaving Darius Mason, Jesse Watkins and Justin Taylor wide open.
Darius Brown and Bryce Hamilton showed great intelligence and unselfishness by finding the right player throughout the second half. They finished their shots with great confidence.
Even more so, Darius Mason came up with 15 second-half points, 8 second-half rebounds and three huge deflections. I’m so proud of my guys. They are growing 100 feet tall before my eyes!”

Box Score:
Pasadena: 18-12-21-13-(64)
MHHS: 17-9-21-10- (57)

PHS scoring: Darius Mason 21, Bryce Hamilton 16, Darius Brown II 16, Jesse Watkins 6, Justin Taylor 5.

PHS Field goals: 25 of 52 for 49%

PHS Free throws: 10 of 14 for 71%