With six seconds left in regulation, the Hamilton Yankees girls’ basketball team was tied at 44 with the Santa Margarita Eagles in the second round of the CIF Division II State playoffs. In that short span of time, the Eagles passed the ball down the court to secure their victory with a layup right before the buzzer.
“We drew up a quick play, props to the coaches, it was a great play,” Eagles freshman Grace Anderson said. “It took a lot of fight and a lot of hustle. I think never giving up was a very big part.”
The Eagles came into the fourth quarter with an eight-point deficit, but three-pointers by sophomore Sydnie Lendsey sparked their offensive effort. A 6-2 run by Santa Margarita would tie the game at 44 with seconds left.
“Those were crucial, we needed those bad,” Lendsey said. “I’m really glad that my teammates executed and I executed. I’m really happy that we got the dub.”
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The Yankees went into halftime with a 24-22 lead; they started the third with a 7-2 run. The Eagles struggled on offense during the phase, only scoring six points. A three-pointer by Sherilynne Chensam with seconds left in the third gave the Yankees an eight-point advantage.
Earlier this week, the Eagles knocked out the King/Drew Golden Eagles 49-47. King/Drew’s City Section Open Division playoff-run was cut short in the semifinals when they lost to the Birmingham Patriots 44-49.
The Yankees also fell in the Open Division Semis to the Westchester Lady Comets 58-66. As the Eagles advance to battle the Sherman Oaks Notre Dame Knights, the Yankees end their season with a 10-19 overall record and a 4-8 Western League record.
COLISEUM LEAGUE TEAMS IN THE STATE PLAYOFFS
The King/Drew Golden Eagles boys basketball team defeated the La Habra Highlanders 62-55 in the CIF Division II State playoffs. Eagles junior Donald Thompson scored 24 points and five assists and freshman Jayshawn Kibble made 19 points.
Eagles sophomore guard Josahn Webster scored all eight of his points in the fourth, he also made five assists and six rebounds in the contest. Senior Semaj Howard contributed seven points and four assists.
King/Drew coach Lloyd Webster praised the efforts and skills of the youth on the team.
“They deserve the credit because they’re getting the job done,” Webster said. “You got these young guys knocking off really superior teams.”
The Highlanders were on a 21-game winning streak before facing the Golden Eagles. They won the Southern Section Division 3AA Championship.
King/Drew will travel to face the Centennial Golden Hawks of Bakersfield on Saturday at 7:00P.M.
The Washington Prep Generals defeated the Westchester Comets 61-57 in the second round of the CIF State Division IV playoffs. Generals head coach Jovante King noted how this is the farthest the boy’s basketball team has gone in their history.
Generals senior Michael Aikhionbare scored 17 points and eight rebounds, junior Dareon Scott made 15 points and 10 rebounds while senior Briyan Aldridge scored 14 points and four steals.
King explained how Aldridge scored nine points in the second quarter alone and how their defensive efforts aided to their victory.
“Our pressure defense in the second quarter is what turned the game around,” King said. “We came out in the second quarter and tried the press and Westchester turned the ball over a lot.”
On Saturday, they face the Chatsworth Chancellors at 7:00P.M. in an away game.
The Crenshaw Cougars girls basketball team fell in the second round of the CIF Division IV State playoffs after losing to the Grossmont Foothillers 51-57. The Westchester Lady Comets fell to the Santiago Sharks 54-62 in the first round of the CIF Division I State playoffs.
