Sierra Canyon Puts on Defensive Clinic to Shut Down Notre Dame, 63-54

Trailblazers Overcome Slow Start to Lock Down Knights in League Showcase

Inglewood, CA – The Sierra Canyon Trailblazers proved that teamwork trumps individual talent on Saturday night, stifling Sherman Oaks Notre Dame 63-54 in a defensive showcase at the Trinity-Mission League Showcase at Intuit Dome.

In a highly anticipated clash, Notre Dame’s Tyran Stokes, the top-ranked player in the 2026 class, was expected to carry the Knights, but Sierra Canyon’s relentless defense and balanced attack ultimately made the difference. While Stokes led all scorers with 23 points, he struggled to find easy looks and had difficulty involving his teammates, which proved costly as Notre Dame’s offense stagnated in the final three quarters.

On the other side, Sierra Canyon’s trio of Gavin Hightower, Bryce Cofield, and Maximo Adams led a well-rounded effort, keeping the Knights on their heels and delivering key buckets when it mattered most.

First Half: A Gritty Comeback

Notre Dame (20-5, 5-2) came out firing, using Stokes’ inside presence to take an early lead. Stokes attacked the rim and drew fouls, while Zach White and Mike Lewis chipped in with key plays, pushing Notre Dame ahead 17-14 at the end of the first quarter.

However, Sierra Canyon (20-4, 6-1) found its footing in the second quarter. With Stokes briefly resting, the Trailblazers turned up the defensive pressure, forcing turnovers and making Notre Dame one-dimensional.

Hightower and Cofield led the charge offensively, while Adams found his rhythm in the midrange. As Notre Dame struggled to generate clean looks, Sierra Canyon clawed its way back. Cofield contributed an and-one finish, and after a back-and-forth stretch, Hightower drew a foul in the final seconds of the half, sinking both free throws to give Sierra Canyon its first lead of the game, 29-28.

Third Quarter: Sierra Canyon Takes Control

Sierra Canyon opened the second half with a statement, setting the tone defensively and turning stops into quick offense. Adams showcased his footwork and power, scoring on a series of strong moves inside. Meanwhile, Hightower crashed the boards and found his way to the rim, scoring off a second-chance putback to extend the lead.

Notre Dame, which had relied heavily on Stokes in the first half, struggled to adjust as fatigue set in. Stokes missed several contested shots, and his frustration was visible—at one point, he threw the ball away after an uncalled foul, leading to a key turnover.

With momentum fully on their side, Sierra Canyon executed a perfect set play, freeing up Adams for an easy bucket to push the lead to 41-34. Notre Dame desperately needed a response, but Sierra Canyon’s defense forced errant passes and rushed shots.

In the final moments of the third, Hightower slashed to the rim for a powerful layup, capping off a dominant quarter and sending Sierra Canyon into the fourth with a 46-38 lead.

Fourth Quarter: Lockdown Defense Seals the Win

With eight minutes left, Notre Dame needed stops and quick buckets. Stokes tried to take over, drawing fouls and converting at the line, but Sierra Canyon never let him get comfortable.

The Trailblazers responded with a well-timed three from Cofield and a tough finish by Hightower, keeping the Knights at arm’s length.

Notre Dame’s offensive struggles became more apparent down the stretch, as Stokes was forced into isolation plays that didn’t create open looks for his teammates. Meanwhile, Sierra Canyon played smart, milking the clock and forcing Notre Dame to foul.

As Stokes fouled out with 1:22 left, Sierra Canyon closed the game at the free-throw line, Adams and Cofield calmly sinking clutch foul shots to ice the win.

The final exclamation point came in the last seconds, as Adams emphatically swatted away Notre Dame’s final attempt, a fitting end to a defensive masterpiece by Sierra Canyon.

Final Thoughts: Sierra Canyon’s Team Play Overcomes Notre Dame’s Star Power

While Notre Dame had the best individual talent in Stokes, Sierra Canyon had the better team, and that was the difference. The Trailblazers’ defensive tenacity, balanced scoring, and composure in crunch time proved too much for the Knights, who couldn’t generate enough offensive rhythm outside of Stokes’ efforts.

• Sierra Canyon:
  • Gavin Hightower (#0): Led the Trailblazers with 21 points, showcasing his offensive prowess and earning the Most Valuable Player honors.
  • Maximo Adams (#25): Contributed 18 points, demonstrating versatility and defensive strength, including a notable block against Notre Dame’s NaVorro Bowman Jr. in the final moments.
  • Bryce Cofield (#12): Added 15 points, playing a crucial role in maintaining the team’s momentum throughout the game.
• Notre Dame (SO):
  • Tyran Stokes (#4): The nation’s top-ranked junior showcased his talent with a game-high 23 points, consistently challenging Sierra Canyon’s defense.

With the win, Sierra Canyon secured a crucial league tournament bye, setting themselves up for a deep postseason run. Notre Dame, meanwhile, will need to regroup, as they’ll likely see Sierra Canyon again in the semifinals with revenge on their minds.