Rancho Christian Boys Basketball team Advances to Second Semifinals in Three Years

TEMECULA – The Rancho Christian boys’ basketball team punched its ticket to the semifinals of the Division 1 playoffs Tuesday night. The Eagles defeated the visiting Millikan Rams 71-62, which also qualified for the state playoffs.

It wasn’t easy, though, as Rancho Christian had to fend off a very feisty Rams team that had an answer to every run that Rancho Christian was able to string together mostly by connecting from long distance.

Rancho Christian head coach Jalen Lake expected this level of effort from the visitors. “They’re a tough program. We watched lots of film, and we knew it was going to be a dogfight,” Lake said.

Daniel Bol led the way for the Eagles with 16 points, five rebounds, two assists and two blocks. Eight of his points came in the pivitol fourth quarter when he made a turnaround jumper to break a 52-52 tie. He then scored on an emphatic dunk to break another tie which started Rancho’s final run to end the game.

Jeremiah Profit added 21 points, 11 of which came in the second half, three rebounds, an assist and a steal. Tony Rutledge and Dave Mapey contributed 14 points and 10 points respectively.

Quali Giran led the way for the visitors with 18 points, three rebounds and three assists. Jeremiah Hunt added 16 points, nine rebounds three assists a steal and a block.

Joseph Wicker chipped in 10 points.

Rancho Christian (22-9) hosts Crean Lutheran Friday night. Tip off at 7 pm.

“It’s taken us a long time to get to where we want to be, and we want to be playing our best basketball here in February, not in November,” Lake said.