Area Teams Enter State Playoffs; Ends in Mixed Results

Despite making a poor showing in the Open Division playoffs, losing to both Bishop Montgomery and Alemany in overtime, the Damien Spartans looked to repeat as state champions, but this year at Division I. They captured last season’s title at the Division III.

Birmingham, the City Section Open Division consolation runner up, however had other ideas as it shocked the Spartans 81-73 in overtime, the third such loss for Damien in succession.

“It’s really frustrating,” Damien head coach Mike LeDuc said. “We didn’t play very well in the first half and we were our own worst enemy. We played harder in the second half, but I thought we made a lot of mistakes, and when you make a lot of mistakes against a good team, it will hurt you.”

Trailing most of the game, Damien was able to claw back and finally take the 69-68 lead.

After two Liam Ryan free throws put the Spartans up 71-68 with 19 seconds to go, Devonte Doutrive was fouled and completed the three-point-play to tie the score at 71-71. Damien had one last chance to win but was unable to even get the shot off.

Bryce Peters dropped a game high 30 points, while Isaiah added 20 and Justin Hemsley pitched in 10 for the Spartans who ends their season at 25-6.

Bonita 52, La Jolla County Day 48

Despite losing in the Division 3AA championship Oak Park, the Bonita Bearcats was able to outlast La Jolla County Day, the San Diego Section Division 3 champions in the first round of the California state
Division III game.

“We really wanted to come back after the bad game on Saturday,” Joe Quintana said. “It was a learning experience and we looked at this as a second chance and we wanted to do something exciting for the school. We want to keep going.”

Quintana had a game high 21 points, none bigger than the two free throws with 13 seconds to give the bearcats a four point lead. He was 2 of 6 from behind the stripe up to that point. He also had six rebounds 5, steals and four assists. Tyler Poepping added 18 points for the Bearcats who visit third-seeded Santa Barbara Saturday. Tipoff is at 6pm.

Photo: Justin Hemsley reacts after missing two free throws trailing 68-69 (Photo by Keith Birmingham/Pasadena Star News)