Alijah Arenas' final game in Chatsworth uniform ends in defeat in Sacramento

Alijah Arenas, holding back tears and feeling miserable after missing all seven of his shots in the fourth quarter on Saturday in a 66-53 loss to Carmichael Jesuit in the state Division II championship game, stood in the middle of the court embracing every Chatsworth teammate as their names were read. The emotion and disappointment was visble at Golden 1 Center, and yet he stood his ground in his final high school game that saw him finish with 3,002 career points but back-to-back defeats in state finals.

This is an example of leadership. Alijah Arenas embracing every teammate while feeling miserable after loss to Jesuit in state finals. All-time City scoring leader. Remember the moment. pic.twitter.com/goS3rziNRW
— eric sondheimer (@latsondheimer) March 16, 2025

Later, in the interview room, his coach, Sam Harris, was even more emotional, unable to speak at the beginning. The Chancellors wanted a win so badly after losing in last year's Division IV final. They had made so much progress, relying on Arenas but getting contributions from others.

Instead, Jesuit, supported by a loud contingent of students from its nearby campus, made eight threes and used its matchup zone defense to leave the Chancellors unable to respond in the fourth quarter after being down 43-40.

"We were happy to be here, but this is tough," Harris said. "It's a special group. We didn't knock down enough shots."

Emotional loss for Chatsworth. pic.twitter.com/MOEmCSDSAk
— eric sondheimer (@latsondheimer) March 16, 2025

Arenas finished with 22 points.

"I feel more of the story was effort on both ends," Arenas said. "They had more heart."

Freshman Maison Phillips made three threes and finished with 19 points to lead Jesuit to its first state title. Jesuit had lost twice to Crenshaw in the 1990s in state finals.

Headed to USC, Arenas decided to attend Chatsworth despite numerous other opportunities from more publicized schools known for basketball excellence. Through his own perseverance and leadership, he helped the Chancellors make history.

"We took neighborhood kids from Chatsworth to back-to-back state championship games," Harris said.

The tears Arenas had were because it was tough to say goodbye to his teammates. They had become some of his best friends. He tried his best to deliver a championship, but sometimes it doesn't work out. That's why embracing each one for a final time was telling them he would be friends for life. One of those was center Taj Unuakhalu, who had 10 rebounds, nine points and was one of the most improved players.

It was Arenas' final game putting on a Chatsworth uniform. He leaves quite a legacy, from being the all-time City Section scoring leader to being chosen a McDonald's All-American.

The next time you'll see Arenas' No. 0 jersey will be when it's framed on the wall of Chatsworth's gym, because that's going to happen one day for his many contributions over three seasons of basketball excellence.

Sign up for the L.A. Times SoCal high school sports newsletter to get scores, stories and a behind-the-scenes look at what makes prep sports so popular.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Topics

Class 6A boys basketball: Deer Creek defeats Tulsa Union to win first state title since 1974

Deer Creek won its first state championship since 1974 after defeating Tulsa Union 78-69 in the Class 6A boys basketball title game Saturday night at State Fair Arena.
Yahoo Sports - 5h
UConn-Creighton game at Big East tourney ends with heated skirmish

A scuffle broke out at the end of Creighton's victory over UConn in the Big East Tournament semifinals on Friday night after Jamiya Neal threw down a needless dunk for the Bluejays in the final ...
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Littler throws nine-darter but 19-match win streak ends

Luke Littler throws his first nine-darter of the year but his 19-match winning run came to an end with a defeat in the semi-finals of the Players Championship Five.
BBC News - 4d
Class 3A boys basketball: Millwood defeats Cascia Hall to win state championship

Millwood won its 18th state championship in program history with a 60-57 win over Cascia Hall in the Class 3A boys basketball title game Saturday at State Fair Arena.
Yahoo Sports - 13h
Girls basketball state championships: Alter proud in defeat, optimistic about future

Mar. 15—Two magical runs ended Friday in the Division IV girls state championship game. For Bellevue, it was pursuit of the first state title in school history. For Alter, it was as close to a ...
Yahoo Sports - 7h
Best game I've ever been involved in - Slot on PSG defeat

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot says it's a "shock" his side are out of the Champions League following their defeat against PSG which he describes as the "best game" he's ever been involved in.
BBC News - 4d
Was it a foul? You be the judge of controversial final play in MSU-Wisconsin game

Michigan State basketball's time in the Big Ten Tournament ended in controversy on Saturday afternoon
Yahoo Sports - 12h
Tietz makes the difference as Augsburg defeat Wolfsburg

It was a crucial Saturday afternoon matchup at the WWK Arena, as FC Augsburg (9-8-8, 11th) hosted VfL Wolfsburg (10-8-7, 7th). The two teams were separated by just three points going into this ...
Yahoo Sports - 13h
USC's upset bid falls frustratingly short in season-ending loss to Purdue

After leading for a good portion of the game, USC men's basketball can't hold on in the final minute, losing 76-71 to Purdue in the Big Ten tournament.
Yahoo Sports - 2d
Michigan State defeats Notre Dame, moves on to Big Ten Tournament championship

Michigan State hockey is moving on to the Big Ten Tournament championship game after defeating Notre Dame on home ice, 1-0
Yahoo Sports - 8h
Kimberly boys fall to Marshfield in Division 1 basketball sectional final

The Kimberly boys basketball team's run through the postseason ended Saturday in the sectional championship game.
Yahoo Sports - 11h
'The best game I've ever been involved in' - Slot on PSG defeat

Liverpool boss Arne Slot describes Tuesday's Champions League game with PSG at Anfield as "the best game of football I've been involved in", despite it resulting in the Reds exiting the competition.
BBC News - 4d
Ohtani hits home run in Dodgers' Tokyo exhibition game

Shohei Ohtani fever in Tokyo reached boiling point Saturday as the Japanese baseball superstar hit a home run in his first game in a Los Angeles Dodgers uniform in his home country.But it was his ...
Yahoo Sports - 19h
Hurricanes win 6th straight game by defeating Red Wings 4-2

Jack Roslovic had a goal and an assist and the Carolina Hurricanes won their sixth game in a row, 4-2 over the Detroit Red Wings 4-2 on Friday night. Taylor Hall and Jalen Chatfield also scored ...
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Magic end 5-game skid with a 111-109 victory over the Bucks

Paolo Banchero scored 29 points, Cole Anthony added 22 and the Orlando Magic beat Milwaukee 111-109 on Saturday to end a five-game skid and snap the Bucks’ four-game winning streak
ABC News - Mar. 8
New Packers CB Nate Hobbs will wear iconic uniform number

New Packers CB Nate Hobbs has his new uniform number, and it's an iconic one. He'll be No. 21.
Yahoo Sports - 2d
LeBron James watches on as Bryce, Sierra Canyon win state title Friday night

The Arizona Wildcats commit finished with 3 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists as Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, California) defeated Lincoln (Stockton, California) 58-53 on Friday night.
ESPN - 13h
Class 4A boys basketball: Weatherford defeats Crossings Christian to win first state title

Weatherford beat Crossings Christian 46-44 for the Class 4A boys basketball state title Saturday at State Fair Arena.
Yahoo Sports - 10h
Title tilt set: Scouting report, prediction, Florida basketball vs Tennessee in SEC Tournament finals

Florida basketball gets a third meeting with Tennessee in the SEC Tournament finals Sunday at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville
Yahoo Sports - 5h
Girls basketball tournament: Eastview’s rally falls short in 4A semifinal loss to Hopkins

Eastview played well for large segments of Thursday’s Class 4A semifinal at Williams Arena. But the beginning and end of the game? Well, those two segments belonged to the Royals. A scintillating ...
Yahoo Sports - 2d
Kings blow out De'Aaron Fox and Spurs in PG's return to Sacramento

Sacramento gave De'Aaron Fox a warm welcome, then a rough night.
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 8
NFL free agency: Cooper Kupp makes decision on next team

Cooper Kupp has finally made a decision, ending the free agency waiting game.
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Slot: “Trent to miss final, but should return before end of season”

Alexander-Arnold Ruled Out of Carabao Cup FinalLiverpool have been dealt a significant injury setback with confirmation that Trent Alexander-Arnold will miss the upcoming Carabao Cup final against ...
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Firebirds can't find scoring touch against Henderson, drop third straight game

The two teams will meet again at Acrisure Arena on Wednesday
Yahoo Sports - 4h
College roundup: First period boosts Clarkson, St. Lawrence into NCAA women's hockey quarterfinals

Mar. 14—MADISON, Wis. — The Clarkson University women's hockey team scored two goals in the first six minutes en route to defeating Boston University 3-1 in an NCAA Division I Tournament ...
Yahoo Sports - 1d
For De'Aaron Fox, firing Mike Brown reportedly final straw with Kings, Sabonis seeks clarity on team's future

What's the long-term plan in Sacramento? What is the front office building toward? Fox didn't see it.
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 7
SEC Tournament scores today: Game highlights, updates, from quarterfinals in Nashville

It's the 2025 SEC men's basketball tournament at Bridgestone Arena. Follow for scores and updates from today's quarterfinal round games in Nashville.
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Sterling makes his mark against PSV as Arsenal stroll into quarter-finals

On a night when Arsenal ended the game with four left-backs on the pitch, this may not have been the biggest stage of Raheem Sterling’s illustrious career. But after a dismal loan spell from ...
The Guardian - 3d
'I'm not going to play for another coach': De'Aaron Fox's time with the Kings ended with Mike Brown's

Fox told the Kings this summer he did not want to play for a fifth head coach in less than eight seasons in Sacramento.
ESPN - Mar. 8
Kraken Extend Winning Streak Defeating Utah 4-2.

Eeli Tolvanen nets two goals in second night of three game homestand.
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Dain Dainja, PJ Haggerty power Memphis basketball to AAC tournament title game. 3 gut reactions

Memphis basketball defeated Tulane Saturday to advance to the AAC tournament championship game.
Yahoo Sports - 10h
'Wounded Ireland aim to end Six Nations on a high'

Following a humbling defeat by France, wounded Ireland approach Six Nations Super Saturday with only slim hopes of winning the title.
Yahoo Sports - 1d
UConn-Creighton ends in scuffle over 'fancy' dunk

A scuffle broke out at the end of Creighton's victory over UConn in a Big East tournament semifinal after Jamiya Neal threw down a needless dunk for the Bluejays in the final seconds.
ESPN - 13h
No One Expected Stephen Curry to Change the Game. Look at Him Now.

Curry made his 4,000th career 3-pointer against the Sacramento Kings, one of the teams that didn’t pick him in the 2009 N.B.A. Draft.
The New York Times - 11h
Class 5A boys basketball: Tulsa Booker T. Washington cruises past Lawton for 17th title

Tulsa Booker T. Washington boys basketball defeated Lawton on Saturday at State Fair Arena as the Hornets claimed their 17th championship.
Yahoo Sports - 8h
Ball State women's basketball defeats Toledo in MAC Championship; final score, takeaways

Ball State women's basketball won the MAC Tournament for with a win over Toledo. How the Cardinals punched their ticket to Women's March Madness:
Yahoo Sports - 14h
Pioneer Valley's hot shooting helps unbeaten Pioneers defeat Hopedale in state final

Pioneer Valley (26-0) held the No. 2 Blue Raiders to three field goals over the two middle quarters and led by 22 points heading into the fourth.
Yahoo Sports - 12h
Colorado 4A Final 4 basketball: Delta stuns No. 2 Timnath to ends Cubs season in semifinals

No. 2 Timnath's special season ran into a singular star performance, as No. 6 Delta upset the Cubs in the Colorado 4A basketball Final 4.
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Miami (OH) tops Ball State 79-66 in Mid-American Conference regular-season finale

Led by Kam Craft's 19 points, the Miami (Ohio) RedHawks defeated the Ball State Cardinals 79-66 in a Mid-American Conference regular-season finale
ABC News - Mar. 7