Flintridge Prep can’t catch Rams
PASADENA — Despite a game-high 20 points from Jedrick Eugenio and a wonderfully facilitated game from Harrison Jung, the Flintridge Prep boys’ basketball team fell to Temple City, 52-49, in a summer league game at Maranatha High on Thursday.
The Rebels opened up the fourth quarter with a bang as Scott Tsangeos and Eugenio each hit three-pointers to give Prep its first lead of the second half, 44-43.
Felix Awajo answered for the Rams with a three of his own, but after two made free throws from Eugenio, the game was tied at 46 with 3:07 left. However, buckets from the Rams’ Nick Kaneko, Brian Tang and Andrew Pau proved to be too much. Eugenio was able to hit one more three, but it seemed to be too little too late as the Rams held a 52-49 lead with 14 seconds left. Temple City was then able to drain the clock to end the game.
After the game, Rebels assistant Rudy Bojorquez was not surprised by the explosive night from Eugenio, who averaged 10.2 points per game last season.
“We expect [games like this] of him,” Bojorquez said.
However, even with 20 points on 53% shooting, Eugenio was not satisfied.
“In the end,” he said, “if I score 20 and we don’t win, that’s not what I want.”
The first quarter was very tightly contested. Flintridge Prep struggled from long range early. However, Jung’s prolific passing and quickness provided the Rebels open looks. Tsangeos, Eugenio and West Nowotny combined for 10 points in the period.
However, the Rebel defense could not keep the Rams at bay, as Chris Lee hit an early three and Temple City followed it up with three more baskets and a free throw, ending the first quarter tied at 10.
In the second quarter, Temple City finally broke away. Eric Olivas netted 12 of his team-high 17 points for the Rams in the second quarter on five-of-eight shooting with two of those buckets coming from outside. Olivas’ two three-pointers were only a part of what was a solid quarter from beyond the arc, as Sean Diep and Awajo each hit an outside jumper, as well. Combined with the Rebels’ four turnovers and 30% shooting, the Rams took a commanding 28-19 lead into the break.
The third quarter belonged to Eugenio. The soon-to-be senior opened the quarter with a quick bucket and a foul. After hitting the free throw, he would go on to score three more times and record a rebound and a block while playing outstanding defense, holding Olivas to only three points. The rest of the Rebels combined for 10 in the quarter.
However, the Rams’ hot shooting continued from outside where they scored 12 of the 15 they put up in the quarter. But with the explosive offensive quarter from Flintridge Prep, Temple City saw its lead dwindle to as little as four and took a five-point lead into the final quarter of action.