SOUTHERN SECTION BOYS 4-A : Artesia Shows It’s Not One-Man Team

The Ed O’Bannon show turned into the Artesia High School talent show Thursday night as the Knights defeated Santa Barbara San Marcos, 75-47, for the Southern Section boys’ basketball 4-A Division title in the Bren Center at UC Irvine.

Before a crowd of 5,000, the 6-foot-8 O’Bannon did not disappoint, scoring 21 points and grabbing 10 rebounds, but it was the play of his teammates that opened up a close game in the second half.

After leading, 29-26, at halftime, Artesia’s full-court pressure defense turned seven San Marcos’ turnovers into 16 points. Junior guard DeAndre Austin scored 11 of those points.

“What hurt us most was their defense with O’Bannon covering our in-bounds passer,” San Marcos Coach Jeff Lavender said, whose Royals committed 29 turnovers, including 19 in the second half. “(O’Bannon) is definitely the best player I’ve ever seen in high school, but their whole team is outstanding.”

Artesia (25-2) outscored the Royals, 46-21, in the second half to win its first Southern Section title. Artesia lost to Compton Dominguez in last year’s final.

Three other Pioneers scored in double figures. Austin finished with 15 points, Chris Thompson scored 14 and Jae Park had 11.

In the first half, sophomore center Rob Ramaker of San Marcos (24-7) held his own with O’Bannon as both had with nine points and five rebounds. Ramaker finished with 14 points and eight rebounds.