Esperanza Can’t Get Off the Ground Against Paramount

Paramount capitalized on Esperanza’s lackluster performance to defeat the Aztecs, 87-62, in a second-round Division I-A boys’ basketball playoff game Tuesday night at Paramount High.

Paramount (16-10) turned six steals in the first quarter into an 18-16 lead at the buzzer.

The Pirates extended their margin with a 15-2 scoring run in the first four minutes of the second quarter. They led by 14 at halftime, and held leads of 20 in the third quarter and 30 in the fourth.

“Our behavior on court did not exemplify the type of behavior I anticipated,” Esperanza Coach Mark Hill said. “We just stood and watched the ball come off the glass.

“We’re a bigger team, but in terms of aggressiveness and intensity, we just didn’t have it.”

Esperanza shot 38% from the field compared to Paramount’s 64%. And the Pirates outrebounded the Aztecs by a 2-1 margin.

Senior center Chris Boyd had a game-high 31 points and 13 rebounds for Paramount. Halakilangi Muagututia added 12 points--all from three-point range--as the Pirates connected on eight three-pointers. The Aztecs hit seven from behind the line.

Senior forward Marcus Jones had 15 points for Esperanza, which finishes 21-6.

Paramount will play Pasadena, an 89-78 winner in overtime against Diamond Bar Tuesday night, in the quarterfinals Friday.