GARDEN GROVE LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Kennedy Meets the Challenge With Victory Over Pacifica

After losing its first Garden Grove League game of the season, Kennedy High School Coach John Mayberry issued a challenge to his players, telling them their “magic number was 13.”

And despite a slow start and making only 33% of their shots from the field Friday night at Kennedy, the Fighting Irish met Mayberry’s challenge. They completed league play with their 13th victory, a 55-48 triumph over Pacifica.

Kennedy’s victory, coupled with Rancho Alamitos’ 78-64 victory over Bolsa Grande Friday, placed the teams in a tie for the Garden Grove League championship. Both teams finished with 13-1 records in league play, splitting their two games against each other.

“Before the game tonight, I told the kids that if they don’t win this one, the other 12 don’t mean anything,” Mayberry said.

Kennedy came out tight, making only four of 15 shots in the first quarter, and fell behind Pacifica 15-10 after one quarter.

Forward Jim Barker’s game-high 25 points, 13 in the first half, kept Kennedy close early. The Mariners built a 26-23 halftime lead, and Mayberry gave his team another challenge.

“I told them at halftime, ‘It is your championship to win, “‘ Mayberry said, “‘If you want it, go and get it. I have over 200 wins and six championships already.’ But another one is always nice.”

Kennedy responded by scoring 11 points in the first two minutes of the third quarter, and Pacifica never threatened again.

Center Jermaine Galloway defended the inside with eight blocks, and Barker made six free throws in the final two minutes to seal the victory.

In other league games:

Garden Grove 84, La Quinta 64--Forward Mark Perry scored 22 points to pace host Garden Grove (10-13, 8-6). Forward Joe Squires added 21 points and center Bob Ioja had 19 for Garden Grove. Center Justin Sogoian led La Quinta (2-20, 2-12) with 15 points.

Rancho Alamitos 78, Bolsa Grande 64--Paul Preuss scored 21 points to lead Rancho Alamitos, which rallied in the second half. Bolsa Grande led at the half, 34-33, but Rancho Alamitos outscored Bolsa Grande, 26-20, in the third quarter to take the lead. Rancho Alamitos ends the regular season 20-3, 13-1. Hinh Bui scored 25 points for Bolsa Grande (8-13, 6-8).