Brea Olinda Nearly Lets Victory Slip Away

Brea Olinda’s fast start prevented a sloppy finish from spoiling its 68-61 victory over Buena Park in a Southern Section Division II-AA second-round boys’ basketball game Tuesday at Buena Park.

The Wildcats, who advance to play Cerritos Gahr in the quarterfinals Friday, made six of their first eight shots to take a 14-2 lead, but nearly let a 19-point, fourth-quarter advantage slip away because of erratic play.

“I’m happy with the win, but I think we really got sloppy at the end,” Brea Olinda Coach Bob Terry said. “I wasn’t too pleased about that.”

Junior guard Ryan Wilber, who had 24 points and nine rebounds, made a three-pointer on Brea’s first possession and scored 10 points in a 17-6 run to start the game.

“The first five minutes they came out real hot and it seemed like we were fighting uphill from the very beginning,” Buena Park Coach Ed Matillo said.

Buena Park’s leading scorer, 6-6 center Matt Okoro, was limited to two shots in the opening quarter, but his basket early in the second cut the lead to five.

Brea Olinda (26-2) closed out the second quarter with an 8-2 run to take an 11-point lead, then extended its lead to 52-39 after three quarters.

The Wildcats moved ahead, 62-43, on Rick Boehm’s basket with about six minutes remaining, but Buena Park’s Jamaal Allen followed with a three-pointer, stole the inbounds pass and then converted a three-point play. After one of Brea’s seven turnovers in the fourth quarter, DeAndre Gipson made a three-pointer with 4:40 remaining to cut the lead to 62-52.

The Coyotes (20-8) came within eight points with just over two minutes remaining, but missed three consecutive shots down the stretch before Allen hit a three-pointer at the buzzer. Allen scored 24 points to lead Buena Park, Gipson scored 14 and Okoro had 14 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks.

“We’re playing tougher teams now,” Brea Olinda forward Jerett Skrifvars said. “Our league and our last game wasn’t that tough. From now on, it’s going to be tough games.”