STATE HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS : DIVISION III BOYS : This Time, Pacifica’s Plan Does Not Work

The Garden Grove Pacifica High basketball team was accustomed to coming from behind.

It overcame large deficits in its last two State tournament games to win and earn a berth in the Division III championship against Sacramento Foothill.

So when the Mariners found themselves behind by 21 points in the third quarter of Saturday’s title game, they did not panic. They were used to the circumstances.

Foothill had other ideas, however, as it also stepped up its game down the stretch on its way to an 81-61 victory at the Oakland Coliseum Arena.

“We knew Pacifica saved its best for the end of the game,” said Drew Hibbs, Foothill’s coach. “We heard they came from behind in the regionals, so when they started to make a run for us we were ready. We didn’t stand there and take it.”

Pacifica (30-2) trailed San Diego St. Augustine by 22 in the second half of a Southern Regional semifinal before winning, 65-62. In their 60-55 victory over San Diego University in the regional final last Saturday, the Mariners were 11 points behind at halftime.

After Foothill jumped out to a 40-24 lead at intermission, Pacifica Coach Bob Becker figured his team had the Mustangs right where it wanted them.

“We didn’t panic at halftime,” said Becker, who coached the girls’ basketball team at Garden Grove Rancho Alamitos last year. “I told the kids we had been in this situation before, and I figured we could wear them down in the second half.”

Although Becker shuffled his lineup throughout the game, Foothill did not wear down. When the Mariners got to within 63-58 midway through the fourth quarter, the Mustangs went on a 6-0 run to regain control.

Hibbs went to his bench sparingly, but his starters got the job done. Alvin Houston had several big plays and finished with a team-high 27 points.

Houston had plenty of help. Rick Gonzales and Mike Pelton had 18 and 15 points, respectively. Mike Schanzenback finished with a game-high 13 rebounds, as the the Mustangs controlled the boards, 46-34.

Still, Pacifica, making its first appearance in the State tournament, had its chances in the second half. Forward Chris Vlasic scored 17 of high game-high 28 points in the third quarter as the Mariners closed the gap to 55-49.

Jaimi Besho’s two free throws with four minutes remaining pulled Pacifica to within five, 63-58. Foothill then committed a turnover, but forward Ramon Alliman missed an easy dunk on a breakaway play.

The Mustangs took advantage of the miscue. Houston promptly made a three-point play to change the momentum and thwart the comeback.