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

Newcastle defeat Liverpool to win EFL Cup and end trophy drought

Newcastle ended 70 years of waiting for a major trophy, defeating Liverpool 2-1 at Wembley to win the EFL Cup. Scorers: Burn 45+1', Isak 52'; Chiesa 90+4'As tends to be the case in finals, the ...
Yahoo Sports - 14h
Vols fall in SEC title game, await NCAA Tournament opponent

Florida basketball defeats Tennessee in the SEC Tournament championship game at Bridgestone Arena.
Yahoo Sports - 16h
Cup final loss ends tough week for Liverpool - Slot

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot says his side's 2-0 Carabao Cup final defeat to Newcastle at Wembley ends a "tough week".
BBC News - 16h
Brighton condemn Tottenham to fourth straight defeat

Brighton & Hove Albion were thoroughly deserving of their 1-0 win against Tottenham, a result that ended their seven game winless run and condemned the home side to a fourth defeat in a row.
Yahoo Sports - 18h
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 - 1d
Newcastle defeats Liverpool, win League Cup

Dan Burn and Alexander Isak scored goals as Newcastle United beat Liverpool 2-1 in the League Cup Final on Sunday at Wembley, ending their club's 70-year wait for a domestic trophy.
Yahoo Sports - 18h
Højlund finally ends goal drought with opening goal at Leicester 🙏

Perhaps taking inspiration from Newcastle ending their trophy drought, Rasmus Højlund ended one of his own, scoring his first goal in 22 long games to give Manchester United the lead at Leicester. ...
Yahoo Sports - 17h
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 - 2d
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 - 5d
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 - 1d
Cavaliers' 16-game winning streak ends. Magic hand Cleveland first loss since Feb. 4.

The Cavaliers' 16-game win streak is no more. The Magic defeated Cleveland 108-103 on Sunday, handing the Cavs their first loss since Feb. 4.
Yahoo Sports - 15h
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 - 1d
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 - 5d
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 - 1d
David Lynch’s 5 Takeaways from Liverpool’s Carabao Cup Final Defeat

David Lynch’s 5 Key Takeaways from Liverpool’s 1-2 Defeat to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup FinalLiverpool’s hopes of retaining the Carabao Cup were shattered as Newcastle claimed a 2-1 victory at...
Yahoo Sports - 16h
Derry relegated to Division Two after Mayo defeat

Derry are relegated to Division Two as they suffer a 1-17 to 2-19 defeat against Mayo at Celtic Park in their penultimate Division One game.
Yahoo Sports - 20h
In the longest boys hockey final, Arndt's goal gives Concord the Division I title

Mar. 16—MANCHESTER — The longer the game went, the more the tide turned in Concord's favor, and boy was this game long. Saturday's NHIAA Division I boys hockey championship at SNHU Arena was the ...
Yahoo Sports - 13h
🎥 All of the best bits from Newcastle's fantastic EFL Cup final win 🔥

Newcastle United ended English football's most infamous trophy drought, defeating Liverpool 2-1 to win the EFL Cup at Wembley on Sunday. And after a 70 year wait, you just knew the Toon Army would ...
Yahoo Sports - 1h
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 - 1d
Lakers player grades: L.A. finally gets back in the win column

The Lakers didn't play a very good game on Sunday versus the Suns, but they played well enough to end their four-game losing streak.
Yahoo Sports - 13h
Arena football is back in Washington

The team is a part of the Arena Football One League and will begin its second season in the AF1 West division at Everett’s Angel Of The Winds Arena
Yahoo Sports - 16h
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 - 1d
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 - 3d
Magic end Cavaliers' winning streak at 16 games

Paolo Banchero scored 24 points, Franz Wagner added 22 and the Magic beat Cleveland 108-103 on Sunday to end the Cavs' winning streak at 16 games.
ESPN - 10h
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 - 1d
'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 - 5d
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 - 1d
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 - 3d
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 - 2d
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
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 - 2d
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 - 1d
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
Cameron Jordan is on pace to pass Drew Brees and make Saints history

No one has played more games in a Saints uniform than Drew Brees. Cameron Jordan has a chance to change that this season
Yahoo Sports - 1d
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 - 3d
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 - 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
Newcastle stun Liverpool in League Cup final to end 56-year trophy drought

Newcastle ended their 56-year trophy drought in stunning style as Dan Burn and Alexander Isak sealed a 2-1 win against Liverpool in the League Cup final on Sunday.But despite failing to win their ...
Yahoo Sports - 17h
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 - 1d

More from Yahoo Sports

Newcastle celebrations are not over the top – this is why it means so much

If you do not understand what winning the Carabao Cup final means to Newcastle United, if you cannot appreciate what this moment has unleashed in a football obsessed city, maybe this is not the ...
Yahoo Sports - 19m
What is The Players Championship playoff format?

Here's the playoff format for Rory McIlroy and J.J. Spaun at The Players Championship.
Yahoo Sports - 20m
WSU women's hoops earns WNIT invite

Mar. 17—It's March, and the Cougars are not quite done playing basketball just yet. For the fifth straight year, the Washington State women's basketball team earned a postseason berth. WSU will ...
Yahoo Sports - 20m
Jaguars land potential No. 1 pick in NFL mock draft after early run on QBs

An early run on quarterbacks in a recent mock draft from PFF helped the Jaguars land a potential No. 1 overall pick.
Yahoo Sports - 20m
Is NCAA Tournament expansion a ‘slam dunk’? Where talks stand as March Madness begins

NEW YORK — All that stands in the way of expanding the NCAA men’s basketball tournament appears to be money. College sports leaders have been discussing with increasing diligence the possibility of ...
Yahoo Sports - 24m