Region 4-2A semifinal – Champagnat Catholic 72, Hollywood Christian 56: With a dominant 45-point, 20-rebound performance from UM-bound 6-10 center Tonye Jekiri, Champagnat Catholic pounded host Hollywood Christian 72-56 in a Region 4-2A semifinal.

Champagnat (23-4) finished the game on a 13-0 run in the final 3:35 to walk away victorious. All 13 points came on dunks, layups or free throws.

When Hollywood Christian played full-court press late, the Lions were able to get out of it and score fast-break points. In half-court sets throughout the game, the entire offense was predicated around finding Jekiri inside.

“That was our game plan all along,” Champagnat coach Daniel Serrano said. “We knew that we would have a mismatch down there. Despite the ball pressure, we knew that we could get it down low to Tonye, and he had a remarkable game.”

Hollywood Christian rallied behind point guard Hunter Osceola to cut a double-digit Lion lead down to three before the final push from Champagnat. Osceola made five three-pointers to finish with 27 points and five assists.

His backcourt mate, Evonte’ Champion, also finished in double figures with 10 points as Osceola was able to find Champion whenever he drove and drew an extra defender.

“We needed to watch [Osceola] and [Champion],” Serrano said. “They’ve got dead-eye shooters. [Osceola’s] amazing. I give him all the credit in the world.”

Lions point guard Mikhail Bolle scored 10 points to go along with his game-high six assists and six steals.

It was only a two-point game at the half, when Serrano told his team to go over the top of screens and crash the boards to spark a 16-5 run to start the second half and put the Lions in position to win.

Champagnat now advances into an all-Dade regional final with Westwood Christian to be played Saturday at 7 p.m.

DAVID FURONES

CHA (23-4): Jekiri 45, Bolle 10, Leadon 7, Le Brandre 5, Watson 5. HC (18-11): Osceola 27, Champion 10, Outar 7, T. Holmes 6, W. Holmes 5, Gertner 5. Halftime: CHA 25-23. Three-pointers: Osceola 5, Champion 2, Gertner, Le Brandre. Rebounds: Jekiri 20. Assists: Bolle 6. Steals: Bolle 6.

MORE BOYS’ BASKETBALL

•  Region 4-2A semifinal — Westwood Christian 71, Calusa Prep 45: Westwood Christian defeated Calusa Prep at Westwood Christian.

Calusa pulled into an early lead, and through their fervor and clever play-making looked like they would be the dominant team.

But Westwood Christian soon showed their dominance, making a high percentage of their shots and securing a comfortable lead.

This is the furthest the Warriors’ basketball team has gotten in their school’s history, and like coach Jose Amat said: “This is uncharted territory for us. We’re one game away from states.”

Senior Johnathan Hevia dominated the court, making 18 points throughout the game.

In the first minute of the second half, he and teammate Carlos Garcia de Paredes sank back-to-back three-pointers, bringing the Warriors lead to a staggering 41-17.

De Paredes made four three-pointers, including one right at the halftime buzzer.

Westwood Christian advances to the finals, where it will play Champagnat.

MATT MACKLE

•  WC: Shoon 15, Geffrard 7, Jou 6, De Paredes 16, Joseph 2, Cordoza 6, Gonzalez, Hevia