STATE HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS : BOYS’ DIVISION II : O’Bannon’s Bombs Sink Fremont

At 6-8, Ed O’Bannon of Artesia is known more for his inside game than his jump shot, but in the Pioneers’ 57-50 victory over Sunnyvale Fremont in the boys’ State Division II title game, it was his outside shooting that was the difference at the Oakland Coliseum Arena Saturday.

In scoring 26 points, O’Bannon made 10 of 18 shots from the field, including four of five three-pointers, to lead the Pioneers to their first state title.

“When I hit my first shot in warmups, I knew that I would have a good day,” said O’Bannon, who also had 10 rebounds. “As far as I remember, this was the best I ever shot from the outside in a game.”

Artesia (28-2) led, 24-20, at halftime, after missing several inside scoring opportunities. Fremont (29-4) stayed close behind the outside shooting of guard Jason Townsend, who had seven points, and Phil Kelly Jr., who had six.

O’Bannon, who scored 12 points in the first half, led Artesia’ third-quarter surge with 10 points, including a three-point basket at the buzzer, as the Pioneers took a commanding 40-29 lead.

Fremont rallied to begin the fourth quarter, outscoring the Pioneers, 10-4, before Artesia, which has been a good foul-shooting team all season, clinched the game at the foul-line.

With Chris Thompson making four foul shots and O’Bannon adding two more along with a fallaway baseline jumper, Artesia was able to hold off the Indians’ late rally.

“It is really hard to win when you have to defend a big guy as good as O’Bannon who can shoot from the outside like he did today,” Fremont Coach Phil Kelly said. “They did a good job with their half-court defense in forcing us to be very tentative on offense.”

Artesia Coach Wayne Merino was not surprised with O’Bannon’s shooting performance.

“(O’Bannon) can shoot it from the outside and today he got a chance to do it when we needed it,” Merino said. “Every time we had to have a basket, he came through for us.”