Kapono Steps It Up as Artesia Advances

With his team struggling to hold off Fairfax High after three quarters, Lakewood Artesia’s Jason Kapono knew it was time to assert himself.

The All-America senior scored 12 of his team-leading 21 points in the final quarter to carry the top-seeded Pioneers to a 72-64 victory Tuesday night at Artesia in the first round of the Division I Southern California regional of the state tournament.

Kapono made four three-point baskets, including three in the fourth quarter, and the Pioneers (31-2) advanced to the semifinals. They will play Glendora, a 61-58 winner Tuesday over Clovis West, on Thursday.

Kapono’s scoring outburst was not a surprise to Artesia Coach Wayne Merino.

“You expect that from your best player,” he said. “You expect him to go out and do things like that.”

Fairfax (23-7), which finished second to Manual Arts in the City Section, held a 10-5 lead after one quarter and kept it close behind the shooting of Joe Shipp and Stanley Thorne.

It wasn’t until Kapono’s final three-point basket, which gave Artesia a 67-53 advantage with two minutes remaining, that the Pioneers could relax.

Even then, the Lions didn’t go away easily.

Merino said he was happy with the team’s performance, particularly in the second half, but realizes there is still difficulty ahead.

“We’ve got to play harder and we’ve got to be more focused,” he said. “We’re playing Glendora and we have to be ready to play a team like that.”

Andre Hazel added 11 points and Amaury Fernandez and Ryan Reyes had 10 each for Artesia.

Shipp finished with 21 points and eight rebounds, Thorne had 20 points and Jason Morrissette 14 for Fairfax.