Bonita Outlasts Calabasas 76-72 in Overtime to Reach Southern California Regional Final

LA VERNE – It took overtime, but the Bonita Bearcats boys’ basketball team finally dispatched of visiting Calabasas 76-72 Tuesday night in one Southern California Division III semifinal game.

It looked like the bearcats were going to run away with the game, as it got to a fast start, hitting 5 of 7 from the 3 point range during a 14-4 run en route a 27-9 lead after the first quarter.

Joe Quintana dropped 21 points, but made the biggest shot, the go ahead basket in overtime, while Tyler Poepping tallied a game high 25 points. Russell Hernandez added 19 points for the Bearcats who will meet league foe Ayala for the Southern California Regional final Saturday night at Colony High School. Tipoff is at 8pm.

“I’m just exhausted,” Poepping said. “These last couple of games have taken a lot out of me. I’m just glad we pulled it out. We have so much resilience. It’s crazy.”

Calabasas, who lost to Bonita In the CIF division 3AA semifinal, will not go away, as it cut into the Bonita lead, going on a 15-9 run to close the gap to 36-24 in the second quarter, and then used a 22-17 run to close the gap to 53-46 in the third.

Jack Rogan tallied 24 points, but scored three of the biggest points as his 3-pointer with practically no time left tied the game at 70-70 to send the game into overtime. Ryan Murphy added 19 points for the Coyotes who finished the season 26-8.

"We made our run, and we knew they were going to make theirs," Poepping said. "We expected it, and its just a matter of how we respond to it.

Bonita responded In overtime, going ahead 74-72 on Quintana’s 14-footer with about two minutes left to play. Hernandez and Andrew Williams each converted a free throw to seal the victory as Calabasas had one last chance to tie the game, but threw the ball out of bounds.

“When you build up a big lead, you have to realize this is the state playoffs and (Calabasas) is a very good team and they’re going to come back,” Bonita coach Tim Godley said. “Our kids knew that. We got a little shaky but we’re very resilient and there were no quit and they got it done."

Photo: Joe Quintana hits a jumper to give Bonita the lead in overtime

More Photos of Tuesday's game.