SBVC advances to CCCAA state championships
"We started out kind of slow, because they made their run fast, and we know they generally make their run early," Smith said. "We were just waiting on our run. We knew it was going to happen early in the game, so we just sat back to wait for our run. We knew we were going to fight back, so we let them make their run and wait for us to make our run."
The host Wolverines -- playing in front of a full house, including a raucous group of fans from Mt. San Jacinto – were able to scratch out a 36-all tie at halftime, and then made that promised run.
Valley opened up a 12-point lead with 9:29 to go in the game, and never trailed again, as they beat Mt. San Jacinto 91-80 to advance to the CCCAA state championships in Cerritos next week.
Valley (28-8) struggled early, making many unforced mistakes in front of the boisterous crowd, something that coach Quincy Brewer noticed.
"I think that it got to them a little bit in the first half, and they were able to get things calmed down and get back to playing San Bernardino basketball," Brewer said.
"They were a little bit rattled, because it was a very, very hostile environment. Most of the time you're at home, you don't hear noise like that going against you."
But the halftime break allowed the Wolverines to calm down, and get their game going. After going 0-for-5 from three-point range in the first half, the Wolverines hit 4 of 9 in the second half. And as the game wound down, they made their free throws, converting 70 percent of their 27 chances in the second half. Mt. San Jacinto (25-5) only converted 55 percent of its free throws in the game.
The teams traded the lead throughout the first half, before ending tied. And it took Valley the first part of the second half to open up a lead. And even then, it was never in the bag until the final minute, as Mt. San Jacinto closed to with four with 5:45 to go.
"Both teams are great teams," Brewer said. "Obviously in a game like this, it was a very intense environment, so it came down to old fashion rebounding. In the second half, we did a great job on the boards."
Valley outrebounded the Eagles 44-39 for the game.
Gerry Blakes led the way for the Wolverines, scoring 25 points, as the all five of the Valley starters finished in double figures. Cbarles Callison, who fouled out late in the game had 19 points, while playing a strong defensive game for Valley.
Mt. San Jacinto was paced by Dajuan Smith, who had 17 points in the game.