LaMelo, LiAngelo Ball couldn't save Chino Hills from playoff ouster
The Ball family won't be defending its high school state championship after Chino Hills was eliminated by Bishop Montgomery, 87-80, on Tuesday night in a Southern California Open Division regional semifinal.
UCLA star Lonzo Ball, who led Chino Hills to a 35-0 season last season, was on hand to watch younger brothers LaMelo and LiAngelo try to keep the school's repeat bid going.
They could have used him on the floor.
LiAngelo, a senior, started hot with 15 points in the first quarter, but scored just 10 the rest of the way. He'll head to UCLA after he graduates, following the footsteps of his older brother -- who has made it clear he's headed to the NBA after his one season at Westwood.
LaMelo, a sophomore, scored 14 points and ran into foul trouble after picking up his fourth in the third quarter.
Lonzo Ball and the third-seeded Bruins will open their NCAA Tournament on Friday night in Sacramento, taking on 14th-seeded Kent State in the final game of the first round.