Inglewood Turns Up Heat, Moves Closer to Section Title

Finally, the pressure worked, the steals came and Inglewood was on the brink of its first Southern Section II-AA championship since 1980.

The Sentinels’ relentless full-court press eventually wore down No. 8 ranked Santa Barbara early in the fourth quarter when they blew the game open and cruised to a 70-53 win in the Division II-AA semifinals Tuesday night before 300 at Morningside High.

“We thought if we could keep the pressure on them, it would get to them,” Sentinel Coach Patrick Roy said. “They broke down.”

Fourth-ranked Inglewood (27-3) forced 15 turnovers and held the No. 8 Dons (27-3) to one field goal (a three-pointer at the buzzer) in the fourth quarter. The Sentinels, who led 34-32 at the half, and 52-45 after three periods, outscored the Dons, 18-8, in the final quarter. Inglewood will play Riverside North (28-0) for the title Saturday at Anaheim Arena.

“We thought they could press them, but they seemed real calm in the first half,” said Inglewood 6-4 junior forward Paul Pierce, who had a game-high 34 points, 12 rebounds, seven steals and three blocked shots.

“That kid’s a superstar,” said Don Coach Bob Purdy. “We couldn’t stop him. He could shoot it outside, inside and rebound.”

Jabari Simmons, a 6-foot-6 senior center led Santa Barbara with 20 points, but only six came after intermission.

“We said we weren’t going to just let him cut across the key and get the ball,” Roy said. “For him to beat us, he would have to beat us at the foul line.”

Simmons was two for seven from the free throw line.

Don sophomore point guard Mike Garrett had particular trouble handling the ball against the constant harassing of senior guard Sam Turks.

“He’s not used to that type of pressure,” Purdy said.

Said Garrett: “He talked to me and tried to get me out of my game and he did a good job.”