By Spencer Stueve
In one of the most exciting games in the Southern Section this season, the Pasadena Bulldogs just barely escaped with victory over the Rancho Verde High School Mustangs in the CIF Southern Section Division 1 Semifinals.
The high scoring Bulldogs proved they were able to win in multiple ways. All season long, they have scored with ease, running up high scores and blowing teams out. Against Rancho Verde, it was their defense that carried them to victory. Bulldog star Bryce Hamilton struggled, dealing with double and triple teams all night.
The Mustangs dominated the 1st quarter, scoring 13 points and holding the high powered Bulldogs to just five. Though Pasadena would get right back in the game and tie it up at 19, the Mustangs closed the first half on a 6-0 heading into the break.
Pasadena would come out of the locker room in the 2nd half and quickly even things up. The 2nd half was a slugfest, with both teams playing lock down defense and struggling to find consistent success on the offensive end. With the score tied at 46 and time ticking down, the Bulldogs made the plays to close out the victory. After struggling for much of the night, Darius Brown knocked in the go-ahead shot to give PHS the lead, and the Bulldogs finished the game with one more dramatic stop on defense.
For the second consecutive year, PHS will play in the championship game, this time against the Chino Hills Huskies on Saturday. Though the Ball brother trio is gone, Chino Hills is still a very talented team, led by blue chip recruit Onyeka Okongwu and the final Ball cousin, Andre.
