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CALABASAS — Viewpoint boys basketball coach JJ Prince knelt with his son after the loss to Venice on Tuesday night. The second-grader is an unofficial assistant coach, and his innocent anguish and tears seemed to sum up the evening in a way no words could.
The Patriots had made their second regional final appearance in six years on Tuesday, this time competing in the CIF Division III regional final and losing to Venice, 62-55.
Viewpoint’s Giovanni Goree and Jordan Garrison defend Percy Jackson of Venice High during the CIF State Division III SoCal Regional final March 8, 2022.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Viewpoint’s Jordan Garrison and Elijah Johnson of Venice try to grab a rebound during the CIF State Division III SoCal Regional final March 8, 2022.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Viewpoint’s Dylan Perlstein and Oscar Lopez scramble for a loose ball during the CIF State Division III SoCal Regional final March 8, 2022.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Viewpoint’s Giovanni Goree drives to the hoop against Venice during the CIF State Division III SoCal Regional final March 8, 2022.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Viewpoint’s Jordan Garrison goes up against Percy Jackson of Venice during the CIF State Division III SoCal Regional final March 8, 2022.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Viewpoint’s Dylan Perlstein brings the ball up the court against Venice during the CIF State Division III SoCal Regional final March 8, 2022.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Venice defeats Viewpoint in the CIF State Division III SoCal Regional final March 8, 2022.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Viewpoint’s Andrew Younan grabs a loose ball against Venice during the CIF State Division III SoCal Regional final March 8, 2022.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Viewpoint’s Andrew Klaey battles under the rim with Aidan Donald and Percy Jackson of Venice during the CIF State Division III SoCal Regional final March 8, 2022.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Venice basketball players celebrate after beating Viewpoint in the CIF State Division III SoCal Regional final March 8, 2022.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Percy Jackson is all smiles after Venice High defeated Viewpoint in the CIF State Division III SoCal Regional final March 8, 2022.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Viewpoint’s Andrew Klaey battles under the rim with Aidan Donald and Percy Jackson of Venice during the CIF State Division III SoCal Regional final March 8, 2022.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Venice head basketball coach David Galley (lft) holds the championship plaque after defeating Viewpoint in the CIF State Division III SoCal Regional final March 8, 2022.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Viewpoint’s Andrew Younan against Venice during the CIF State Division III SoCal Regional final March 8, 2022.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Viewpoint’s Andrew Klaey battles under the rim against Venice during the CIF State Division III SoCal Regional final March 8, 2022.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Viewpoint’s Andrew Klaey battles under the rim with Aidan Donald of Venice during the CIF State Division III SoCal Regional final March 8, 2022.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
“A lot of pain,” Viewpoint junior Giovanni Goree said. “It’s been a long season. But I can say there is a lot of hopefulness as well that we’ll be right in this position next year.”
Viewpoint (21-7) got out to a 5-0 start within the first minute of the game, thanks in part to a deep 3-pointer from Osiris Nalls. The Patriots rode the early momentum to a 15-11 lead by the end of the first quarter.
Venice (21-9) came within a point of tying the game early in the second quarter, but Andrew Klaey came up with a two-handed dunk to extend the Patriots’ lead to 19-16. However, Viewpoint’s momentum began to fizzle as time went on and Venice went on a seven-point scoring run that pulled them ahead, 32-27, by halftime.
Goree scored seven points in the third quarter as the Patriots made stops on defense but were unable to turn them into scoring opportunities.
“It’s one of those things, it’s like you keep grinding in hopes that it turns around,” coach JJ Prince said. “I thought we got a lot of good shots tonight, they just didn’t fall.”
Nalls hit a 3-pointer with slightly over three minutes left in the game to cut Venice’s lead to 55-48, but the Gondoliers outscored the Patriots 19-15 to secure the win.
Venice is the first Los Angeles City Section team to qualify for a state final since View Park Prep did it in 2018. The last LAUSD team to make a state final was in 2010.
Goree led the Patriots with 19 points and Nalls was right behind him with 18 points. Both players are juniors and don’t want to wait another six years to see Viewpoint in another regional final.
“I don’t think we’ll really ever get over this loss,” Goree said. “It’ll be more of a driving factor for the next year to come. I think, if anything, it’ll be motivation for us to make history next year.”
