Four runs - two offensive and two defensive - told the story of West Valley's 81-64 victory over visiting Chabot in Thursday's CCCAA NorCal regional semifinal. The Vikings (25-3) outscored the Gladiators (18-11) 43-29 in the second half, but a closer look reveals four segments of time that helped WVC move a step closer to next week's CCCAA championship tournament in Lemoore.
The Vikings found themselves down 33-28 with 4:35 remaining in the opening half, thanks to a hot hand from Chabot's isaiah Veal. West Valley then went on offensive run number one, outscoring the Glads 10-2 to take a 38-35 lead into the locker room. A pair of buckets from Ben Baker, one each from Quinn Denker and Mahmoud Fofana, and two free throws from Sufyan Elkannan fueled the burst.
Chabot hit two quick baskets to open the second half to regain the lead at 39-38. After WVC coach Danny Yoshikawa called a time out, the Vikings went on an 18-4 run to emphatically grab a 56-43 lead at 12:57. Key to the offensive onslaught was a 3:18 segment where the WVC defense held the Gladiators without a point. The Viking lead grew to 71-57 with 4:38 left. WVC again held the Glads without a point for the next 3:10 to put the game away at 76-57. Veal hit for five points inside the final minute to counter a trio of free throws from Viking Noah Yang to end the game.
Afifi led WVC with 21 points, while Denker had 17 and Fofana 13. Baker also reached double digits with 10. Veal was the lone Gladiator to hit double figures, finishing with a game-high 23.
The Vikings host Yuba (20-9) Saturday in a NorCal Regional final, with the winner earning a berth in the CCCAA Men's Basketball State Championships in Lemoore March 10-13. Saturday's tipoff is 7:00pm. Tickets are now available: