Prep basketball roundup: Redondo Union is preparing to compete with the best

There's no settling for average or ordinary this basketball season for Redondo Union coach Reggie Morris Jr. He has high expectations, and when several of his starters didn't come out performing on Tuesday, he quickly pulled them.

"We try to develop good habits," Morris said.

The Sea Hawks (4-0), ranked No. 3 in the Southland by The Times, responded with a blitz that indicated his players got the message. Chace Holley finished with 20 points and SJ Madison had 19 in an 89-37 win over Laguna Hills as part of the Redondo Union tournament.

The Sea Hawks lost twice to Sierra Canyon and twice to Open Division champion Eastvale Roosevelt in hard-fought games last season. They were close to winning but unable to pull through in the biggest moments. This season, Morris is training his team to be prepared to beat the Southern Section's best.

"We still have a lot of room for improvement," he said. "We have a chance to be real good."

Full-court pressure defense and lots of speed and athleticism will make Redondo Union perhaps the main challenger to Sierra Canyon this season. There's not much height but Morris hopes to make up for that with aggressiveness and hustle. That's why his players were warned early on Tuesday that if you don't perform, there's a spot on the bench and opportunity for others.

Morris has won titles at Leuzinger, St. Bernard, Redondo Union and Fairfax. He knows what's needed to reach the top.

Santa Margarita 66, Loyola 55: Kaiden Bailey scored 18 points, Drew Anderson 17 and Brayden Kyman 15 for the unbeaten Eagles (7-0). Loyola trailed by 13 points at halftime and closed to within five points in the third quarter. Mattai Carter finished with 16 points.

Royal 65, St. Monica 56: Lucas Markland led Royal with 24 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists.

Girls basketball

Sierra Canyon 78, San Clemente 38: Emilia Krstevski scored 18 points and sophomore Cherri Hatter added 16 points in a Troy tournament game.

Glendora 66, Indian Springs 28: Glendora improved to 6-0. Reagan Herrmann scored 22 points and freshman Remy Caine had 19 points.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.