La Mirada’s Gene Roebuck finished the season with a game-high 23 points in a 64-58 victory over JSerra to close out round-robin play in the prestigious Open Division of the CIF Southern Section playoffs.

While there were no section titles or state playoffs for the Matadores, what they accomplished this season still towered over other teams in the San Gabriel Valley area.

They played a a grueling schedule and won many of their toughest matchups, finishing with a record of 25-7. They were the undefeated Gateway League champions, and they were seen as one of the top 10 teams in the Southern Section, which is why they were selected to compete in the Open Division of the playoffs.

Leading the way was Roebuck, a 6-foot-5 sophomore guard with collegiate scholarship offers to Kansas, UCLA, USC, California, Washington and many others.

Roebuck was named to the All-CIF-SS Open Division first team and was the Gateway League co-player of the year along with teammate Julien Gomez. Throughout the season, he showed he was comfortable playing against the best of the best.

Roebuck averaged 19.2 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game.

La Mirada coach Randy Oronoz thought Roebuck’s freshman year was incredible when he averaged 24 points a game.

This year, it was about growth and taking his team to new heights and Roebuck did all that and then some.

“Gene had a really big year in more aspects than one,” Oronoz said. “Everyone knew he could score, but he improved so much as an overall playmaker and facilitator. He got better on defense and had more assists than last year.

“It’s funny, he averaged more points last year, but you look at the team he was on this season. We had more tools and weapons and we took on so many great teams and he still averaged 19 points, mainly because he expanded the rest of his game.”

Roebuck seemed to thrive in the biggest games.

“He doesn’t back down from anyone,” Oronoz said, “and he loves taking on the best players and best teams, that’s when he was at his best. To be this young and have that kind of success was fun to watch. I’m excited for his future for sure.”

DANIEL PIEPOLI, San Gabriel Academy

It doesn’t get much better than this for a first-year head coach. Daniel Piepoli was an assistant at San Gabriel Academy for several years before taking over this past season, and he helped the program capture the top prize. San Gabriel Academy raised the CIF State trophy after beating King’s Academy 52-51 for the Division III championship, the school’s first state basketball title. San Gabriel Academy defeated Maranatha 58-49 to win the CIF State Southern California Division III Regional title. It was an emotional game that saw Piepoli take down his former Pasadena High School coach and mentor Tim Tucker, who is now at Maranatha. The Eagles finished 21-13 while playing one of the area’s toughest schedules. They also advanced to the CIF-SS Division 3AA semifinals, where they suffered a 45-43 loss to Sage Hill. They followed that loss with five straight wins in the state playoffs, ending with a historic celebration.

Guard: Delan Grant, St. Francis, Jr.

Guard: Julien Gomez, La Mirada, Sr.

Guard: Timmy Anderson, Blair, Jr.

Guard: MJ Smith, La Mirada, Sr.

Guard: Acen Jimenez La Habra, Jr.

Guard: Aron Hernandez, Workman, Sr.

Guard: Josh Pastor, La Canada, Sr.

Guard: Noa Eteuati-Edwards, Arcadia, Jr.

Guard: Desmond Every, Pasadena, Sr.

Forward: Jack Madison, South Pasadena, Sr.

Forward: Rhys Anderson, Rosemead, Jr.

Forward: Eli Garner, Damien, Jr.

Forward: Josh Irving, Pasadena, Jr.

Forward: Kevin Keshishyan, Los Altos, So.

Forward: Mamadou Traore, San Gabriel Academy, Jr.

Forward: Colton Gray, Glendora, Sr.

Forward: Chris Smith, Maranatha, Sr.

Forward: Tony Mowein, St. Paul, Sr.

Forward: Harrison Harper, Maranatha, Jr.

Center: Mahamadou Diop, San Gabriel Academy, So.

Guard: Nathan Yearout, San Dimas, Sr.

Guard: Chris Contreras, Keppel, Sr.

Guard: Aaron Buna, Sierra Vista, Sr.

Guard: Myles Wainwright, Walnut, Sr.

Guard: Hunter Smith, Bonita, Sr.

Guard: Max Hilgenfeldt, Glendora, Jr.

Guard: Aiden Shaw, Bishop Amat, Fr.

Guard: Kylen Kincy, Los Altos, So.

Guard: Miles Nowe, South Pasadena

Guard: Dillon Chelsea, St. Paul, Sr.

Guard: Maddux Hang, Keppel, So.

Guard: Nick Wallace Jr., Arcadia, Fr.

Guard: Adam Sanchez, Azusa, Sr.

Forward: Brandin Carpenter, Pasadena, Sr.

Forward: Owen Eteuati-Edwards, Arcadia, Fr.

Forward: Jayden Avina, Damien, Sr.

Forward: Luke Chavez, San Dimas, Jr.

Forward: Landon Winslow, Alhambra, Sr.

Forward: Duncan Quirarte, Wilson, Jr.

Forward: Michael Salazar, Diamond Ranch, Sr.