Prep Basketball 1-A PLAYOFFS : Whittier Christian Shrugs Off Faith Baptist, 69-62

Faith Baptist High center Gerald Thomas expected his career to last a little bit longer than it did. The way Friday night’s 1-A Southern Section quarterfinal game against Whittier Christian began, it looked like it might have at least continued through the semifinals.

Thomas, a two-time all-Southern Section selection, blocked Whittier Christian’s first three shots, but the Heralds shrugged off the 6-5 ball-swatter and Faith Baptist to record a 69-62 victory at Faith Baptist and advance to the semifinals. They will meet No. 1-seeded Chadwick on Tuesday.

“I didn’t think tonight was going to be my last game,” said Thomas, who blocked seven shots on the night. “It hurts inside but I think I’m ready for the future and college.”

Thomas also finished with game highs in points with 17 and rebounds with 16. In his career, he scored 1,482 points and grabbed 1,194 rebounds, both school records.

Whittier Christian Coach Bill Cuccia was impressed with Thomas’ performance.

“From what I saw tonight, I would say he is the best player we’ve seen all year,” Cuccia said. “And I’m sure that wasn’t nearly his best game.”

With Faith Baptist trailing, 25-15, with five minutes left in the first half, however, Thomas was called for his third foul and was taken out of the game. Whittier Christian then went on a 15-8 run to take a 40-23 advantage at the intermission.

With Thomas playing in the second half, the Contenders mounted a furious rally and eventually trimmed the Heralds’ lead to 58-54 with 3:35 remaining in the game. But Whittier Christian hit 5 of 7 free throws in the last three minutes to pull away.

The Heralds (20-4) had four players score in double-figures. Guard Dean Riehm poured in 17 points, Mike Goodcase scored 16 and Dave Murrane and Dan Swanner added 13 and 12 points, respectively.

Fernando McLean scored 16 and teammate Brian Estrada scored 14 points for Faith Baptist, which finished 18-4.