Branson leads Renaissance Academy after low-scoring first half

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The Renaissance Academy boys’ basketball team scored a whopping four points in the second quarter of its Division V boys’ final and trail Ross Branson, 19-14, at halftime at Arco Arena in Sacramento.

The Wildcats have a significant size advantage with a front line that’s 6-10, 6-8 and 6-7, but they didn’t get a point from a post player until Anthony Stover converted a three-point play with 3:34 remaining in the first half to cut Branson’s lead to 15-13. It was the Wildcats’ only field goal in the second quarter.

It’s not like Renaissance Academy isn’t trying to get their middlemen involved. The Wildcats might be trying too hard, lobbing passes into the paint even when the target is triple-teamed.

Branson’s best player, Harvard-bound Oliver McNally, picked up his second foul in the second quarter, but Coach Jonas Honick showed confidence in his senior guard’s ability to play smart and kept him on the floor. McNally had a nice assist on a layup by Cody John, which gave the Bulls a 19-13 lead with about 20 seconds left until halftime.

McNally has six points to lead Branson. Josh Thomas has seven for Renaissance Academy.

Branson has choked out opponents here before, holding Solana Beach Sante Fe Christian to 29 points two years ago in the state championship game. Oakland McClymonds matched that mark in last season’s Division I loss to L.A. Fairfax. No team has scored less points in the modern era of the state basketball finals.

That’s one record the Wildcats would definitely like to avoid.

-- Dan Arritt

-- Image from www-personal.umich.edu