Khamenia and Carroll Shine as Wolverines Remain Unbeaten in Mission League
Inglewood, CA – The Harvard-Westlake Wolverines held off a determined St. Francis squad at the 2025 Trinity Mission League Showcase, emerging with a 59-52 victory on Saturday night at the Intuit Dome. Behind standout performances from Isaiah Carroll and Nikolas Khamenia, the Wolverines (25-1, 7-0) secured the top seed in the upcoming league tournament and extended their winning streak to 16 games.
St. Francis (16-13, 0-8) entered the matchup reeling from consecutive one-point losses, but the Golden Knights refused to back down against the top-ranked team in the Southland, according to The Times.
First Half: A Dramatic Buzzer-Beater Keeps It Close
The Wolverines jumped out early, controlling the tempo with precise ball movement and a swarming defense. The highlight of the half came when Harvard-Westlake executed a flawless alley-oop dunk to Carroll, drawing roars from the crowd.
However, St. Francis refused to fold. Guard DeLan Grant, who led St. Francis with 22 points, delivered a stunning half-court buzzer-beater to trim Harvard-Westlake’s lead to 26-24 at the break.
Second Half: Khamenia and Carroll Lead the Charge
Out of halftime, Nikolas Khamenia quickly asserted himself, opening the scoring with a soft floater and grabbing key defensive rebounds. His vision was on full display, dishing out assists, including a pinpoint pass to Carroll for a three-point play, pushing the lead to 31-24.
St. Francis battled back with Grant continuing to shine, hitting clutch shots and driving the lane. Joe Hickey contributed nine points, helping St. Francis stay within reach.
But every time the Golden Knights inched closer, Carroll and Khamenia responded. Carroll, who finished with 22 points, splashed a series of three-pointers off Khamenia’s assists, igniting Harvard-Westlake’s bench and deflating St. Francis’ momentum.
The Wolverines’ defensive intensity also rose, with Cole Holden converting a fast-break layup off a full-court press turnover to extend the lead to 43-35 heading into the fourth quarter.
Fourth Quarter: Wolverines Close the Door
The final frame saw St. Francis continue to challenge, as Grant and Hickey scored timely baskets to narrow the deficit to 46-41. Khamenia, showcasing his all-around game, answered with a deep rainbow three-pointer and a slick post move for a soft floater, keeping Harvard-Westlake comfortably ahead.
With just over a minute remaining, Carroll sealed the victory by hitting clutch free throws, finishing as the game’s Most Valuable Player. Harvard-Westlake’s length and athleticism, coupled with their efficient shooting and disciplined ball control, ultimately proved insurmountable for St. Francis.
Final Thoughts: Dual Threats Lead the Way
Nikolas Khamenia and Isaiah Carroll were the clear difference-makers for Harvard-Westlake. Khamenia’s versatility—sharp passing, lockdown defense, and timely scoring—paired perfectly with Carroll’s lethal shooting and powerful finishes at the rim.
The Wolverines, who haven’t lost since a December 14th setback to Provo (Utah) Timpview, look poised for a deep playoff run, bolstered by a balanced attack and unwavering focus.
Meanwhile, St. Francis will aim to regroup and break their league losing streak as they head into the final stretch of the season. Despite the defeat, their spirited performance against the league’s top team showcased their resilience and potential.
Harvard-Westlake’s sights are now set on the league tournament, where they’ll enter as the top seed, determined to continue their dominant season.
Ben, Chief Editor and Business Consultant at WCSM, is also the Chief Creative Officer at two multi-million-dollar businesses, where he has driven growth and innovation. A summa cum laude graduate with degrees in Statistics and Business Computer Information Systems, Ben has helped small businesses double their revenue, launched YouTube channels with over 50K followers, and created websites for high-profile clients in TV and film. His expertise spans content creation, video production, advertising, analytics, web design, and data analysis. Ben is eager to bring his skills to WCSM, turning their vision into impactful realities while fostering sustainable growth.
