Hubbard’s defense sparks Santee in playoff victory
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On a Santee squad loaded with offensive weapons, the effort of guys like Lamonte Hubbard is easily overlooked. That’s why Coach Curtis Hughes was so quick to rave about his 6-foot-1 senior’s stifling defense against Locke in the second round of the City Section Invitational Division boys’ basketball playoffs.
‘Lamonte played the best he has on defense all season,’ Hughes said after the Falcons’ 66-48 rout. ‘He shut down their best shooter and that set the tone for everyone else. I think Locke came in a little overconfident and we ran ‘em out of the gym.’
Hubbard was asked to guard the Saints’ top scorer Adam Palomera, who scorched San Pedro for 23 points in the first round. Hubbard had a hand in Palomera’s face all night, holding him to nine points, well below his season average. Santee pulled away in the fourth quarter, outscoring Locke, 27-16.
As usual, 6-6 center Josh Chatman was all over the stat sheet. He started slow, scoring only four points in the first half, but his effectiveness increased as the game wore on and he finished with 15 points, 19 rebounds, five blocked shots, four assists and three steals to pace the seventh-seeded Falcons’ attack.
Santee has won 12 straight since a 79-71 defeat to University in the Hamilton tournament. The Falcons seek revenge next Wednesday in the quarterfinals.
‘We wanted a second chance at Uni and that’s what we’ve got,’ Hughes said. ‘It’s going to be tougher on the road but I think we’ve improved enough to play with anyone.’
-- Steve Galluzzo