JSerra Boys Basketball Wins Another Playoff Fight With Rolling Hills Prep – Orange County Register

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO — After the JSerra boys basketball team eliminated Rolling Hills Prep in last season’s playoffs, they knew the Huskies would come back for revenge, and they almost did on Friday night.

After falling behind early in the game, the Lions clinched a 48-45 win at JSerra in the second round of the CIF-SS Division 1 Playoffs.

The Lions (23-8) play Tuesday’s quarterfinals at Canyon. Canyon was a 73-64 winner over Crossroads on Friday.

Rolling Hills Prep (23-6), who lost to the Lions 72-44 away in the second round of last season’s playoffs, had one on Friday thanks to a 7-0 run that included two 3-pointers from Blake fast start Yamada.

The Huskies continued their 3-point attack and didn’t score their first 2-point field goal until the third quarter.

“It was definitely frustrating,” said JSerra senior Aiden Fowler of the Huskies’ strong start. “In the beginning we were 7-0 down. Number two (Mateo Trujillo) was strapped in tonight. We didn’t worry too much about him in the scouting report, but we had to make an adjustment.”

Post-game interview with JSerra’s Aiden Fowler. 23 points for Fowler as the Lions advance to the quarterfinals.@ocvarsity @JSerra_Hoops @JSerraAthletics @JSCHS_Lions @SteveFryer @ScholSeries pic.twitter.com/1FLO1hJvDV

— Manny Alvarez (@MAlvarez02) February 11, 2023

Fowler kept the Lions early in the game despite trailing by six by the end of the first quarter.

JSerra charged back in the second quarter and tied the game to 27 at halftime thanks to Fowler, who finished with a game-high 23.

JSerra tried to extend his lead in the third quarter, but the Huskies stayed with JSerra thanks to their 3-pointers and time management.

Rolling Hills Prep were two points behind with the last 10 seconds, but Jordan Lee’s shot went short and the Lions took a free throw to end the game.

JV Brown led the Huskies with 16 points and six rebounds while Yamada added 12 points and Trujillo had 15 points.

The Huskies only made three 2-point field goals in the entire game, but made 12 3-point field goals.

“Two of their players (Trujillo and Yamada) are very good shooters,” said JSerra coach Keith Wilkinson. “They just hadn’t taken a lot of shots. We went to JV Brown, who’s a damn good shooter. Our goal was to knock him out in the first half and we did great at that, but the other guys shot.

“In the second half we had to tackle the shooters, get both feet over the 3-point line, get them to put the ball on the ground and trust the help behind you.”

Post-game interview with JSerra coach Keith Wilkerson as his Lions advance to the quarterfinals.@ocvarsity @JSerra_Hoops @JSerraAthletics @JSCHS_Lions @SteveFryer @ScholSeries pic.twitter.com/6b3dCLE9QV

— Manny Alvarez (@MAlvarez02) February 11, 2023

Sebastian Rancik, who plays in the 18-U Slovania national team, scored 12 points for the lions.

Everett Bryson had four points with his seven rebounds, six assists and four steals for JSerra

“We need to watch movies about that,” Rancik said of Canyon. “Our coaches will come up with a great game plan. I’ll watch a movie in the next few days and come up with something.”

Post-game interview with JSerra’s Sebastian Rancik as the Lions survive and advance!@ocvarsity @JSerra_Hoops @JSerraAthletics @JSCHS_Lions @SteveFryer @ScholSeries pic.twitter.com/ZADRhJA6W3

— Manny Alvarez (@MAlvarez02) February 11, 2023