By Steve Breazeale
Sophomore Eric Rwahwire, freshman Nolan Willet and senior Nick Worrell and the Saddleback Valley Christian boys basketball team advanced to the second round of the CIF-SS Division 5AA Championships. Photo by Kevin Dahlgren
Here’s a quick look at the scores and news following the first round of the CIF-SS Boys Basketball Championships.
Tartans Topple California City
St. Margaret’s had four players score in double digits as they breezed their way past visiting California City, 73-46, in the first round of the CIF-SS Div. 4A Championships on February 13.
Brian Murphy had a team-high 14 points and Willie Morrison poured in 13. Both Morrison and Murphy each hit three 3-pointers in the contest.
Brent Cahill scored 12 points and Matt Nicholas scored 10 to round out the top scorers for the Tartans, who are now set to host Nordhoff in the second round on February 15 at 7 p.m.
Huge First Quarter Sets the Tone for Lions in Opening Round
JSerra exploded for 39 points in the first quarter of their opening-round draw against Whitney in the CIF-SS Div. 4AA Championships on February 13. Ultimately, 39 points would be all JSerra would need as they walked away with a convincing 82-35 victory.
Sophomore guard Rex Pflueger led the team with 21 points and junior guard Johnnie Vassat tallied 11.
Warriors Offense Looks Strong in 79-29 Win
Saddleback Valley Christian has been blowing out opponents for the better part of a month and their high-powered offense showed no signs of slowing down in a 79-29 victory over Arrowhead Christian in the first round of the CIF-SS Div. 5AA Championships on February 13.
The Warriors outpaced Arrowhead Christian from the start and held a 50-19 halftime lead before outscoring their opponent 29-10 in the second half.
The Warriors will now face Yeshiva, out of the Liberty League, at home on February 15 at 7 p.m.
Slow Start Derails Stallions
Despite a 20-point effort from standout sophomore Vincent McFadden, San Juan Hills lost to Leuzinger, 71-54, on the road in the first round of the CIF-SS Div. 3AA Championships on February 13.
The Stallions were outscored 21-6 in the opening quarter and faced a 42-21 deficit at halftime. San Juan Hills was able to outscore Leuzinger 33-29 in the second half but it was too little, too late. San Juan Hills junior center Isaiah Barnes scored 11 points and junior guard Conor Shaw scored eight.
Eagles Upset in First Round
The Capistrano Valley Christian boys basketball team lost 64-52 to unseeded Thacher in the first round of the CIF-SS Div. 5A Championships on February 13.
Almost all of the Eagles offense came from two players, sophomore guard Peter Abramsky and freshman guard Kci Thompson, whose combined efforts accounted for 45 of the Eagles’ 52 total points. Thompson had 25 and Abramsky had 20 in the loss. Abramsky made a team-high five 3-pointers.
The loss ended the season for the relatively young Eagles squad, who placed second in the San Joaquin League.
