TEMECULA – The Linfield Christian Lions boys varsity basketball team ended their regular season undefeated with a resounding 59-48 victory finale over the third-place Ontario Christian Knights (now 9-5).

Linfield finished Ambassador League play 14-0. The Lions had dedicated their season in memory of their leading scorer, point guard and team leader Dylan Weinmann.

"Torin Webb has done an amazing job adjusting his game to fit the point guard role," said Head Coach Shawn Stroud, "and other guys have stepped up at different times. We had a lot of pieces in place and they have come together well as a team."

Linfield was behind 11-9 at the end of the first quarter, but scored 24 points while allowing only two baskets and a free throw in the second quarter to take a 33-17 lead into intermission. Jack Dickson sparked the run with a deuce and two treys; he ended the night with 16 points, knocking down four shots from beyond the arc. Darryl Morris finished with 15 points and nine steals. Rhett Johnson worked the paint for 14 points and 18 rebounds.

Justin Tazelaar (16 points) and TJ Spykstra (12) led the Knights’ scoring. Tazelaar also had 12 rebounds.

According to Drake Charles, vice-president of Linfield and a former athletic director, this is the very first basketball league championship in the school’s history (since 1936).

The Lions go into playoffs ranked #10 in Division 5AA. They hosted Xavier Prep (5-6, 9-11), who finished fourth in the Desert Valley League, on Wednesday, Feb. 13.