Marin men deliver long-awaited postseason victory
Hosting the school's first playoff game this century, the College of Marin men's basketball rose to the occasion and delivered a long-awaited postseason victory on Saturday night.
The No. 3 Mariners (25-3) started slowly but got a first-half spark from George Johnson then attacked the rim relentlessly in the second half to secure a 77-61 victory against No. 14 Skyline.
"It's a great feeling because we know it's been a while and a lot of people didn't think that we could do it," COM guard Miller Blake said. "This was a dream when we came here last year. It's great to see dreams come true."
The victory ensures the Mariners will host another playoff game — at 7 p.m. on Wednesday night against No. 6 Cosumnes River (23-7) in the California Community College Athletic Association Northern California regional quarterfinals.
"Cosumnes River is very good," COM coach Dave Granucci said. "We've got to get tape (of them) and do our scouting. They were here watching tonight so they know what we do."
The Mariners got off to a slow start against Skyline (17-10) and trailed 20-12 midway through the first half.
"We didn't play relaxed and I knew that because our guys want to win so bad," Granucci said. "In the second half, we relaxed and in the second game I think we're going to be more relaxed."
Johnson gave the Mariners a spark, going on his own personal 10-0 run to turn a 24-17 deficit into a 27-24 lead.
"It was all about my preparation," Johnson said. "Coming into the game I shot a lot of jump shots. ... Seeing the ball go in the hoop, I was able to get some confidence."
Johnson hit a 3-pointer, made a pair of free throws, made a driving lay-up, then capped the run with another 3-pointer to give COM its first lead of the game.
"I had a strong feeling that George would play well tonight," Granucci said. "He's been sick the last two games and he's finally healthy. He shot the ball well the last two days and he's a big-game guy. The moment doesn't scare him.
Blake scored on a lay-up then Blake and Luke Chavez each made a pair of free throws to give the Mariners a slim 33-32 halftime advantage.
The second half was an entirely different story.
"At the half, coach Dave got on us," Johnson said. "We got off to a slow start in the first half. We had to come out and change the game with our defense."
The other adjustment came on the offensive end of the floor, as the Mariners were able to repeatedly drive into the lane and finish right at the rim. Blake converted a tough driving lay-up to begin the half, Johnson hit a jump shot then Pierre Carter's driving lay-up gave COM the lead for good at 39-38.
"We talked about moving the ball (at halftime)," Blake said. "We had a lot of shooters on the floor and they weren't helping off (on defense) so we just took what they gave us."
The Mariners put together a 12-4 run to push the lead to 51-42 with five of the six baskets coming in the paint. Blake, Milton Jackson and Neal Chavez had lay-ups and Bobby Reeves hit a hook shot during the run.
Luke Chavez and Neal Chavez followed with 3-pointers and the Mariners started feeding the 6-foot, 8-inch Reeves — the team's biggest player — in the paint. He responded with three more baskets to push the lead to 70-52 and the game was all but over.
Blake scored a team-high 17 points, Johnson and Jackson scored 12 apiece and Luke Chavez scored 11. Tavita Jimenez scored a game-high 19 points for Skyline.