4-A : Johnson Scores 29 as Cypress Surprises Woodbridge, 56-51

Forward Mark Johnson scored 29 points Wednesday to lead Cypress High School to a 56-51 victory over Woodbridge in the first round of the 4-A playoffs at Woodbridge.

Cypress (12-13) advances to the second round Friday night against Dominguez. Woodbridge, the 2-A runner-up last season, finished 9-13.

The score was tied, 27-27, at halftime, but Woodbridge took a 41-40 lead after three quarters. The Warriors then moved out to a 48-43 lead on a basket by Bryant McLemore with 5:28 remaining.

However, the Centurions tied the score, 50-50, on two free throws by Gabe Trinidad with 1:47 remaining. Johnson’s five-foot jumper with 1 minute left gave Cypress a 52-50 lead.

Tim Corken sank one of two free throws to close the gap to 52-51 with 45 seconds left. But a 10-foot follow shot by Mike Flowers, after a missed free throw by Trinidad, gave Cypress a 54-51 advantage with 25 seconds left.

Johnson’s two free throws with 13 seconds clinched the victory.