Los Angeles witnessed a thrilling basketball matchup on November 25, 2023, as Christian Collins delivered a standout performance to lead the St. John Bosco Braves to a 57-55 victory over the Harvard-Westlake Wolverines in the Trinity-Mission League Challenge at UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion. Collins, a senior forward, scored 25 of his game-high 36 points in the second half, showcasing his ability to change the course of the game when it mattered most.
The Braves, now holding a 2-0 record, faced a challenging first half, trailing 30-22 at halftime. However, they surged to life after the break, beginning with a decisive 14-2 run that shifted the momentum. By the end of the third quarter, St. John Bosco had established a 42-37 lead, fueled by Collins’ relentless scoring.
Collins, a 6-foot-9 uncommitted five-star recruit, has drawn attention from major programs including Kentucky, UCLA, and USC. His performance against Harvard-Westlake solidified his reputation as a game-changer.
Matt Dunn, head coach of St. John Bosco, praised Collins for his clutch play, stating, “He did a great job down the stretch.” Collins played a pivotal role in the fourth quarter, scoring 14 of his team’s 15 points as the Braves fought to maintain their lead.
Harvard-Westlake’s senior guard Joe Sterling, who has signed with Texas, contributed eight points but missed a critical shot from beyond the arc as time expired. Collins explained the team’s strategy, noting, “Our game plan was really stopping him from getting the ball. We had to be on our A-game because they are really well coached.”
In the first half, St. John Bosco struggled with early fouls, particularly with 7-foot senior center Howie Wu picking up three fouls. The Braves managed to stay competitive, thanks in part to contributions from senior forward Tariq Iscandari, who scored a timely three-pointer, and a strong defensive effort that included forcing a backcourt violation.
Despite a solid performance from Harvard-Westlake’s Dominque Bentho, who scored crucial points in the second quarter, the Braves managed to keep pace. Collins’ eight points in the second quarter were key, although St. John Bosco was outscored 17-10 and entered halftime at a disadvantage.
The second half brought a revitalized St. John Bosco, with Collins and senior forward Max Ellis leading the charge. Ellis, who finished the game with nine points, made significant contributions, including a buzzer-beating three-pointer that capped off the third quarter.
As the final quarter unfolded, Harvard-Westlake narrowed the gap, with junior guard Cole Holden leading the Wolverines with 18 points. The teams exchanged leads in the closing moments, with Harvard-Westlake taking a brief lead thanks to senior guard Amir Jones, who made three consecutive free throws.
With just over 20 seconds remaining, Collins was fouled while driving to the basket and calmly sank both free throws, putting the Braves ahead 56-55. A final free throw by guard Gavin Dean-Moss secured the 57-55 victory, ensuring St. John Bosco’s unbeaten start to the season.
Looking ahead, Harvard-Westlake (1-1) will host Millikan on December 3, while St. John Bosco prepares to face San Diego Francis Parker on December 3. Collins’ impressive statistics this season, averaging 35.5 points over two games, suggest that he will continue to be a player to watch as the season progresses.
