The show held at the Golden 1 Center by East Vale Roosevelt’s Braden Ballysies in the state’s Open Division Championship Game against San Francisco Riordan on Saturday night was historic. Fans who saw him remember his absolute glow, grabbing the rebound and heading to the shore before scoring 10 of the 13 shots and 27 points in the first half, from a basket of three points to a layup.
The 6-foot-5 senior couldn’t stop. He was in one of those unusual movement trances that bring out moments of greatness. He finished with 44 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and led Roosevelt (35-2) to his first Open Division State title, winning Riordan 80-60.
The Ballys set an Open Division scorer (previously 35 points) in one of the best playoff performances in Southern California history. He faced Crenshaw in the 1981 City Section Championship Game in Glendora’s State Division II Finals at the Auckland Coliseum in 1989, before 14,123 at the Sports Arena.
Ballys made 15 of his 22 shots, four out of the 3-point range and 10 out of his 12 free throws. Roosevelt made 21 of his 23 free throws.
“Incredible,” said Roosevelt director Stephen Singleton. “The best player in Roosevelt history. No. 5 will retire. No one is superior. He stepped up to the biggest stage and biggest moments. He will play here one day.”
Ballys said: “Before the game, I was listening to a lot of gospel music. I was just in the zone. I was in the mood so I woke up. We had a shootaround and had the chemistry, “I can’t lose this tonight.” We had to finish the story. It was a great time there. I wish there was another game. It was amazing. ”
Bally’s has not yet announced their college choices. His sidekick, point guard Mileswalker, had another great game, earning 15 points.
Jasir Rancher scored 22 points for Riordan, finishing 29-2.
Walker explains what he saw in the first half and says he is “unconscious.”
“He’s the best player in the country,” Walker said.
Bally’s will be playing McDonald’s nationwide game. He left behind a long-memed legacy in Roosevelt.
