The Classic at Damien: Dedan Thomas Jr. reminds many of father in Southland debut

Like father, like son. It really is true that kids can be just like their fathers. Look at junior point guard Dedan Thomas Jr., the son of former Taft High All-City point guard Dedan Thomas Sr., who went on to star at UNLV after graduating in 1988.

Thomas never left Las Vegas, and Dedan Jr. plays for Liberty High in Henderson. He made his Southland debut Tuesday in the Platinum Division of The Classic at Damien, scoring 23 points in an 85-68 win over Anaheim Canyon.

It’s Thomas’ passing that reminds many of his father.

“It’s absolutely come full circle,” Dedan Sr. said sitting in the bleachers Tuesday. His other son, named Tyus after former UCLA point guard Tyus Edney, is a freshman at Liberty.

Dedan is considered among the top guard prospects in the West, with UCLA, Arizona and Gonzaga among the schools pursuing him. He’s taller than his dad at 6 feet 1 compared to 5-11 and stronger, being able to dunk. His father stopped playing him one on one four years ago. “He’s too old and slow,” the son said jokingly.

Dedan Jr. makes it clear he owes everything to his father and mother. His father taught him the fundamentals and insights about playing point guard. And his mother made it clear that being a good person and doing well in the classroom were top priorities.

“Without him, I would be nowhere near where I am now,” Dedan Jr. said of his father.

About his grades, he said, “That’s more important than basketball for me.”

Said Dedan Sr.: “He’s a better scorer than I was, probably a better defender. He has a chance to be real good.”

Liberty will face Sherman Oaks Notre Dame in Wednesday’s quarterfinals at 7 p.m.

Jacob Huggins of Harvard-Westlake with one of his several dunks against Narbonne.

(Craig Weston)

Harvard-Westlake 79, Narbonne 34: With Narbonne missing Marcus Adams Jr. and his brother, Maximo (both illness), No. 1 Harvard-Westlake (14-0) cruised to victory. Brady Dunlap scored 16 points and Jacob Huggins had 14 at Damien. Harvard-Westlake will play Etiwanda in an 8:30 p.m. quarterfinal at Damien.

West Ranch 63, Dublin (Calif.) 53: Andrew Meadow scored 19 points for unbeaten West Ranch at Damien. West Ranch will face Rancho Christian in a 5:30 p.m. quarterfinal at Damien.

Sherman Oaks Notre Dame 50, Richmond Salesian 46: The Knights held on for the win at Damien. Caleb Foster led Notre Dame with 19 points.

Mater Dei 64, Mira Costa 54: The Monarchs handed Mira Costa its first defeat behind Zack Davidson, who finished with 36 points and 10 rebounds.

Crenshaw 56, Fullerton 44: AJ Robinson scored 22 points for the 15-0 Cougars.

Eastvale Roosevelt 56, Birmingham 48: Wyatt Studer had 17 points and Nate Simon 16 for Roosevelt in the Damien tournament.

Oxnard 59, Otay Ranch 50: The Yellowjackets improved to 13-1 as Reese Widerburg scored 21 points.

Heritage Christian 73, Auburn (Wash.) 47: Auburn took a charter bus from Washington after flights were unavailable, made it to Southern California and did its best in a loss. Seven Bahati had 19 points for Heritage Christian.

Providence 64, Thousand Oaks 59: Sophomore Trent MacLean made an impressive debut for Thousand Oaks, scoring 32 points.

Taft 69, Dominguez 52: Keyon Kensie scored 24 points for Taft.

St. John Bosco 68, Torrey Pines 67: The Braves improved to 13-1 with the win at Torrey Pines. Delyle Williams made the game-winning basket. Kade Bonam had 20 points.

Grant 70, West Torrance 59: Jayleen Jones led Grant with 22 points and 13 rebounds.

Valencia 63, St. Pius X-St. Matthias 57: Mikah Ballew scored 26 points for Valencia.

Calabasas 73, Washington Enumclaw 39: Gavin Murphy scored 32 points for Calabasas.

Palos Verdes 63, Beverly Hills 41: Alex Hassanein finished with 24 points and Dino Aguirre 20 points in the Holiday Classic in Palm Springs.

JSerra 52, Archbishop Mitty 48: The Lions received 17 points from Sebastian Rancik and 16 points from Aidan Flower to improve to 12-1.

St. Paul 46, Oak Park 35: Isaiah Sherrard had 14 points for Oak Park.

Campbell Hall 72, Saugus 59: The Vikings won in the Damien tournament. Matt Tengan led Saugus with 16 points.

Glendale 61, Eastside 57: Tino Zadorian finished with 26 points for Glendale.

Sierra Canyon 87, Jesuit 61: In Oregon, Bronny James scored 22 points for Sierra Canyon, making six of seven shots from three-point range.

St. Francis 48, Washington Prep 40: Jackson Mosley led the Golden Knights with 15 points and Brandin Dantzler had 10 points and 12 rebounds.

Girls’ basketball

Mater Dei 92, St. Paul 45: Addie Deal led the Monarchs with 16 points and Jenessa Cotton had 15.

Granada Hills 46, La Salle 43: Marianne Boco finished with 21 points for the Highlanders (11-3).

Boys’ soccer

Birmingham 1, San Clemente 1: Birmingham advances at Chapman after Adrian Diaz, in the ninth round of penalty kicks, scored.