Return of Reynoso-Avila helped La Mirada boys basketball get to CIF-SS semifinals

The La Mirada High School boys basketball team’s push to play for a first CIF Southe Section championship might likely go through a player who has sat on the bench for nearly the entire season.

Vittorio Reynoso-Avila missed the Matadores’ first 27 games because of a broken foot suffered during a preseason scrimmage. The 6-foot-5 senior and four-year varsity starter did not retu to the lineup until the final game of the regular season. He has started all four previous games and was instrumental in helping La Mirada (24-7) in its 63-50 victory over fourth-seed Redlands East Valley in Tuesday’s quarterfinals, his fourth game this season.

Princeton-bound Reynoso-Avila will be desperately needed in guarding hot-shooting Santa Barbara in Friday night’s CIF-SS Division 2A semifinal game at La Mirada. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

“His strength is his length,” Matadores coach Bryce Jones said. “He’s not tall, but it’s his 7-foot wingspan. He’s a great kid and a great player.”

Sophomore Rendwick Helaire stepped in defensively when Reynoso-Avila had to step out. The 6-foot-3 guard will likely match up against 6-foot-5 senior Bolden Bryce. Reynoso-Avila will take on 6-5 Nick Busch or point guard Ben Brown.

“We caot give up freebies,” Jones said. “They are as hard to guard as anybody and any of their guys in any position can shoot the ball.”

The Dons (29-1) are the touament’s top seed. All but five of their victories this season have been by 10 or more points. It’s not by accident, Jones said.

“It’s tough to go 29-1 regardless of who you play,” Jones said. “Everyone has slip ups against weaker teams. But they still took care of business. They’re deserving to be the No. 1 team in the division.”

This is La Mirada’s sixth trip to the semifinals; the Matadores have never played for a CIF-SS title. Last year they lost to Compton in the semifinals and won the CIF State Division II touament, defeating Archbishop Mitty, 71-70, in double overtime.

“The pressure is still there, but we’re also confident because we won pressure-packed games last year,” Jones said. “We feel the pressure for every game.”

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