Peninsula Defeats Foothill 63-49, Advances in State Playoffs

The Peninsula Panthers basketball team has given new meaning to the 'go anywhere, play anyone' adage this season.

“I told our guys that they have had the season of a lifetime and anything from here on is gravy,” Coach Jim Quick said.

Thursday night, Peninsula went to Cal State Dominguez Hills for a matchup with Foothill High School in the second round of the CIF Division II playoffs. Fighting sickness, Reese Morgan was able to save his best for last, leading the Panthers (30-2) to a 63-49 win.

Morgan got sick halfway through the game, but didn't stop playing.

“It happens, you just pull through and do what you can,” Morgan said.

The Panthers have traveled for the majority of their 32 games this season and regardless of distance or opponent, they keep winning.

During a back-and-forth game for the first three quarters, Foothills’ Rob Filley knocked down a three-pointer to pull Foothill (23-8) within three.

“They are a very good shooting team," Quick said. "We were a little hesitant to play zone against them, but decided to go to it and we were fortunate they didn’t shoot as well as normal."

Peninsula senior forward Odera Anakwanze went inside to Morgan who drew contact and scored inside, converting a three-point play with 5:55 keeping the Panthers ahead 49-43.

“We got a couple easy baskets in transition and that got the crowd into it and helped get some confidence for us,” Morgan said.

The Panthers' defense held the Knights to one-shot possessions all night.

Following an Anakwanze rebound, Morgan sank a three from the wing next to the Panther bench letting out a primal-scream to the delight of his teammates and a 52-45 lead.

“Odera has had some monster games for us this year," Quick said. "Stanley [Roberts] and him were terrific on the boards."

The Panthers would stretch their lead to double figures on a Sam Borst-Smith three-pointer at 57-45 to the delight of the Peninsula student section known as the “Zoo.”

“We travel so well, I’m so proud of our class, staff and parents, we really feed off of them,” Menard said.

A swarming defense would hold tough, keeping the Knights at 45 points for more than three minutes, allowing Quick to breathe easy in the final minutes with the game in hand.

“Our lock-down defense was the difference," Anakwanze said. "Honestly, our heart took over, we didn’t want to lose and weren’t going to let it happen.”

Peninsula players exhibited their characteristic resoluteness with 3:23 remaining in the third quarter. Morgan was called for his third foul and forced to the bench.  

The Panthers were able to extend their lead to four points with their leading scorer sidelined.

“That was a statement to the character of this team," Quick said. "Andrew got them together and they finished the quarter well."

Morgan would save his best for last with 10 points in the final quarter on his way to a game-high 23 points. Borst-Smith joined Morgan in double figures with 12.

Anakwanze came up with a team-best nine rebounds to go along with his eight points. Point-guard Menard assisted on seven Panther baskets.

Filley led Foothill with 21 points, but received little help offensively with no other Knight player scoring more than six.

Peninsula and will face Summit High School (26-7) of Fontana on Saturday with the winner advancing to the state semifinals.

“What is amazing is how much this team genuinely likes each other," Quick said. "If I left them with the keys to the gym, they would stay all night."