Third-Seeded Brea Towers Over Los Amigos

After building a big lead, Brea Olinda’s toughest challenge was trying to stay focused Friday during its lopsided 79-54 victory over Los Amigos in the Southern Section Division II-AA boys’ basketball playoffs.

The third-seeded Wildcats (25-2) forced 12 turnovers in the first quarter and built a 23-4 lead, then cruised to a second-round matchup Tuesday against Buena Park.

“It’s difficult to stay in the game mentally when you get out to a lead like that,” Brea Coach Bob Terry said. “The biggest thing is we can’t get into any bad habits.”

Tough to do against Los Amigos (16-11), a scrappy team that relies more on quickness than height. The Lobos have no starters taller than 6 feet.

Los Amigos attempted to slow the Wildcats with tenacious defense, but with talented point guard Kyle Dodd running the Brea offense, the strategy failed.

“I wasn’t expecting that,” Terry said. “But we’ll take the ‘W.’ The important thing is we’re moving on to the next round.”

Semifinalists the last two seasons, Terry said Brea won’t be satisfied with anything less than a spot in the title game.

“That’s our goal,” he said. “We’re hoping the third time is the charm.”

If they keep performing the way they did Friday, it shouldn’t be a problem.

Jerrett Skrifvars led Brea with 22 points. Dodd added 14 points and eight assists and Landon Lewis had 10 points.

All 15 Wildcats played, 11 scored.

Isaac Hurtado had 14 points to pace Los Amigos.

“We knew it was going to be tough,” Los Amigos Coach Don Grable said. “Their starting five is bigger than any five we could put out there.”