Dominguez States Case for National Recognition

Compton Dominguez High came to the state capital for its final stop on the road to a mythical national title.

And the Dons, ranked No. 1 in the nation by USA Today, accomplished their mission Friday night with a 53-41 victory over Newark Memorial in the Division II state championship game before 8,051 at Arco Arena.

Dominguez center Tyson Chandler scored 19 points and had 12 rebounds for the Dons, who won their second consecutive title and fourth in five years.

Dominguez finished 35-2, its only losses coming against Oak Hill Academy (Va.) and Fresno Clovis West, which plays for the Division I state championship tonight against Concord De La Salle.

“This has been a long year,” Chandler said. “But to come out No. 1 shows it was all worth it.”

Newark Memorial (32-1) was trying to become the first team in three years to finish the season undefeated.

But the Cougars had not encountered forces quite like Chandler or the Dons.

Unlike Bakersfield Foothill, which tried to penetrate against Dominguez in the regional final and had 21 shots blocked for its effort, Newark Memorial spread its offense and tried to defeat the Dons from the perimeter.

It looked like a decent strategy in the first few minutes, but Dominguez launched a 16-0 run to end the first quarter that turned an early four-point deficit into a 20-8 lead.

Newark Memorial never got closer until the final minute after the outcome had long been decided.

“I don’t think we had a lot of touches in the first half and didn’t get good shots,” said Newark Memorial Coach Craig Ashmore, whose team made only 11 of 52 field-goal attempts. “They have the ability, even though you’re in a zone [defense] to get second shots. They’re pretty good.”

With Micah McKinney on the bench because of a broken wrist suffered against Bakersfield Foothill, Dominguez Coach Russell Otis started Larry Johnson at point guard.

The Dons didn’t look as polished as they have recently, but they were good enough.

Dominguez was ahead, 27-14, at halftime and increased the margin to 17 points by the end of the third quarter even with Chandler on the bench for the final 4:30 and forward Keith Brooks out for the last 3:13, both because of foul trouble.

“[Newark Memorial] had some great players one-on-one and off the dribble,” Chandler said, “but all we do in practice is practice defense. There is no one we can’t shut down. Nobody can beat us at this time.”

Dominguez guard Steve Moore had 10 points and six rebounds.

Newark Memorial forward Marquez Chandler led the Cougars with 20 points and forward Matt Rassmussen added 13.

Dominguez took its 27-13 halftime lead behind Chandler, who scored the majority of his 13 first-half points on slam dunks and put-backs.

Newark Memorial enjoyed a brief few minutes in the lead at the outset.

Marquez Chandler sandwiched long three-point shots around a basket by Rassmussen to give the Cougars an 8-4 lead with 5:15 left in the first quarter.

But the Cougars did not score again in the quarter.

Moore’s made a three-pointer for Dominguez and Chandler’s three-point play and then followed with a basket and free throw and then a slam dunk sparked Dominguez’s 16-0 first-quarter run. Darius Sanders made two free throws, Chandler scored again, Moore made two technical foul shots and then added a basket off a drive to complete their 16-0 run.