Flintridge Prep boys’ basketball is championship bound
For the first time since the 2010-2011 season, the Flintridge Prep boys’ basketball team is heading to the finals.
The third-seeded Rebels overcame an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit to force overtime and defeat second-seeded host San Juan Capistrano Saddleback Valley Christian, 70-67, in the semifinals of the CIF Southern Section Division V-AA playoffs Friday evening.
With the victory, the Prep League champion Rebels earned advancement to next weekend’s CIF Southern Section Championships at a location and on a date and time to still be determined.
What is known is Flintridge Prep’s opponent, as the Rebels will take on top-seeded Santa Maria St. Joseph (28-3), which earned advancement by mauling fifth-ranked Woodcrest Christian (26-2) by a 62-36 score, also on Friday.
“It was unbelievable tonight,” Flintridge Prep Coach Garrett Ohara said. “My guys just fought and fought and never gave up and stuck to the game plan. Boy, we had some obstacles to overcome, but we did it.”
Flintridge Prep senior Andrew Tsangeos led his squad with 28 points and 10 rebounds, while senior forward Dante Fregoso was close behind with 23 points and 10 rebounds.
Both players helped offset the offensive effort of Warriors junior Trey Smith, Orange County’s leading scorer. Smith entered averaging 25.9 points per game and finished on par with 25 points, 19 coming in the second half and overtime.
The contest was tied at 60 heading into overtime and Flintridge Prep did not take its first lead until a three-pointer from Kendall Kikkawa with 51 seconds left to put the visitors ahead, 67-64.
Overtime seemed like pipe dream after the San Joaquin League co-champion Warriors took a 47-36 advantage after three.
Yet, Flintridge Prep shined in the fourth quarter and used a 19-11 spurt to pull within 58-55 with just under two minutes left.
Fregoso eventually drained two free throws with less than 20 seconds remaining to knot the game at 60.
“The defense was a big part of the comeback,” Ohara said. “They had their way with us in that first half, but we started going inside and getting timely baskets, threes and free throws when it counted.”
The Rebels surrendered 11 of the game’s first 13 points, but rallied to close to 19-15 after one.
While Smith was held to six points in the first half, Saddleback’s Nick Andrews tallied 14 points as the Warriors led, 35-28, at the break.
“There was so much of an emphasis on defending Smith that Saddleback did a great job pounding inside,” Ohara said. “We didn’t do a good enough job defending the paint and they were doing whatever they wanted. Once we responded, then we started playing our game.”
