Defense on full display as Fullerton downs Cosumnes River in quarterfinal matchup

3C2A Men's Basketball Championship Tournament Central

WALNUT - Defense was on full display in the quarterfinal match up between #1S Fullerton and #4N Cosumnes River in the 3C2A State Championship tournament at Mt. San Antonio.

In the end, Fullerton's fourth-ranked defensive unit was just a bit better than Cosumnes River's sixth-ranked defense as the Hornets beat the Hawks, 68-53.

The win sends Fullerton to semifinals on Saturday against San Bernardino Valley, at 3 pm. San Bernardino Valley knocked off West Valley, the defending state champion earlier in the day. Fullerton's victory means three of the four semifinalists are from the south. In the other semifinal, #1N San Francisco City will take on #2S Citrus, at 1 pm.

Defensive has been the driving force for Fullerton's success this season. Fullerton has allowed 70 or more points just six times. Eight times, including tonight, the Hornets have held its opponents to less than 60 points. And in its two previous playoff games, the Hornets have allowed an average of 64 points.

Cosumnes River came into its quarterfinal with the state's 28th best scoring offense, averaging 73.4 points a game, but Fullerton's defense caged the Hawks. Cosumnes River's 53 points was its second lowest output this season (50 points vs. Diablo Valley on Jan. 14).

After opening a four-point halftime lead, Fullerton (29-3) got back-to-back three-pointers, giving the Hornets a 41-28 lead with 16:24 left. Cosumnes River, however, answered, getting within seven at 43-36 with 12:20 left. But Fullerton responded, using timely baskets to open a 54-42 lead with 6:33 remaining. It remained an 11-point lead until a Cosumnes River dunk with four minutes, cutting the lead to nine at 59-50.

Fullerton secured the win with timely baskets, several of them offensive putbacks to hold off Cosumnes River, which finishes the season 21-11.

"That is one big physical team," Perry Webster, Fullerton coach, said. "We figured they would try to pound the ball inside. I thought out bigs did a good job flying round, making it hard on them."

Webster said, Fullerton didn't play its best offensive game. The Hornets shot 43 percent from the floor (24 of 55) and made just 6 of 20 three-pointers. Fullerton also struggled from the free throw line, making 14 of 24.

"We are usually a better free throw shooting team," Webster said. "But in situations like this you try to find a way to get a win, and that is what I thought we did tonight."

Fullerton was led by Joe Grahovac, the south's Player of the Year, with 23 points and 9 rebounds. Teammate Jaqari Miles came off the bench to add 14 with starter Andy G'Bye chipping in 10 points. Cosumnes River got 18 points from Kason Johnson and 17 from Mason Marsh. Fullerton's bench outscored the Hawks, 20-1.

(Robert Schmidt, CCCMBCA)