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PHS Advances to Title Game Against Harvard-Westlake
Pasadena Independent Feb 27, 2017
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– Courtesy photo
Maranatha and Blair also advance, will all play for title next weekend
By Christian Romo
With less than a minute left to play, PHS coach Tony Brooks broke his usual stoic stance, ordering the student section to get loud, get excited, go crazy. “That’s so out of character,” he said while fighting back laughter, “it’s just a long time coming.”
In his fourth season as head coach, he had a reason to celebrate. The Bulldogs (24-5) will play for the Division 1A title against Harvard-Westlake after Friday night’s 75-66 semifinals win over Peninsula. Brooks has been to the finals a few times with PHS, but always as an assistant, and never as the man in charge. “I always wanted to get to this point,” he said, “and now I led a program, and that feels pretty good.”
Junior Bryce Hamilton (10) led the Bulldogs with 29 points and seven rebounds, muscling through the paint with key buckets in the second quarter. “We haven’t been to [the finals] in five years, and it feels great to be back,” he said. Junior Darius Brown II (2) scored 26 points on 8 of 16 shooting, hitting five three-pointers and tossing out four assists. “My teammates were finding me off the screens…I couldn’t have done it without them,” he said. Brown made five of six free throws in the final minutes to secure the victory, sending PHS to their first final since 2012. “Man, it feels good,” he said, “It’s just good to get to the chip, you know?”
Junior Jesse Watkins dominated the inside with seven points and seven rebounds, neutralized only when he was taken out in the third quarter for foul trouble. “I was working my hardest just to get some rebounds. Whatever it takes for the team to win,” he said. Sophomore Darius Brown pulled six rebounds of his own and led the team with five assists, while junior Lazarus Morris rounded out the Bulldog’s frontcourt with stout defense and a thunderous block early in the second quarter.
After the final buzzer, PHS fans and students tossed confetti and rushed the court to celebrate with their team, documenting the win with selfies and posts shared all around Pasadena and beyond. Hundreds of people waited in line up to an hour before tipoff waiting to buy tickets, and the fire marshal even had to turn fans away at the door when the gym hit capacity. “We’ve always been a basketball school, and this town always comes out and supports us,” said Hamilton.
The Maranatha Minutemen and Blair Vikings also secured spots in the Division 1AA and 4AA title games, respectively, giving the city of Pasadena three representatives in the CIF finals next weekend. “This town should all come out and support ’em all. Pasadena should come out in droves,” said Brooks. He shared a moment over the phone before the game with former PHS and current Maranatha head coach Tim Tucker: “He told me, ‘Tony, we’re both going to win,’ so I gotta call him right now,” he said.
The Bulldogs will face defending Division 4 state champion Harvard-Westlake this Friday at the APU in Azusa for the Division 1A title at 9 p.m. A win would give PHS their sixth CIF championship.
Maranatha 52-50 Cantwell-Sacred Heart
In a rematch from a preseason tournament game, the Minutemen (18-9) squeaked by the Cardinals Friday night in Pasadena to advance to the Division 1AA title game. They will play Rancho Verde this Saturday at the APU in Azusa, looking for their second CIF title.
Woodcrest Christian 71-76 Blair (OT)
The Vikings (24-6) advanced to the Division 4AA title game with an overtime victory over Woodcrest Christian Friday night in Riverside. Junior Dezmond Washington scored 27 points, leading his team to the program’s first title game since 1983. They will play West Torrance in the championship round this Saturday at APU, hoping to bring back the school’s first CIF championship.
Friday, March 3, 2017 at APU
Tickets (GA) $15, (HS student w/ID) $8, (Child 13-5) $8 – APU Parking – No charge
9 p.m. / Boys – Division 1A / Harvard Westlake – Pasadena
Saturday, March 4, 2017 at APU
Tickets (GA) $15, (HS student w/ID) $8, (Child 13-5) $8 – APU Parking – No charge
6 p.m. / Boys – Division 4AA / West Torrance – Blair
8 p.m. / Boys – Division 1AA / Rancho Verde – Maranatha
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