SoCalHoops State Regional Playoff News
Fresno Washington Union pounded San Dimas in the second boys' game of the afternoon, 67-45, largely on the strength of the play of Deshawn Stevenson who displayed his awesome skills as he scored 31 points, on 10 for 18 shooting from the field, 4-6 from three point range, and 7-8 shooting from the line, grabbing 11 rebounds and 3 steals. The only other Washington Union player to hit double figures was Shamell Stallworth who scored 15 points, 6 rebounds, on what had to be a terrible outing: 7 for 22 shooting from the field, 1 for 7 from the three-point line, and 0-1 from the free throw line. Other Panther scoring was Carvel Wafer, 7 points (3-6 from the field, 1-5 ft, 10 rebounds), Coupe Taylor 6 points (2-6 from the field, 2-4 from the line, 5 rebounds), and Maurice Moore 2 points.
While it was not an overall great performance by the Panthers, it was enough for the win. San Dimas was literally overwhelmed by the pressing, trapping and running game of Fresno, although they started out strong and hung with them for the first quarter. At the end of the first quarter, the score was 19-14, and D.J. Hackett, San Dimas' leading scorer and most athletic player had only scored two points. Josh Smith (6'-5" Sr. C) was the high scorer in the 1st with 7 points on 3 for 3 shooting from the line, and other than Deshawn scoring 12 points on 4-5 shooting from the field, Fresno was having some difficulty figuring out how to stop the only scoring option for the Saints.
But in the second quarter, Fresno's Stevenson turned on the after-burners, hitting for another 9 points (21 for the half) on 7-11 shooting from the field. And Hackett was totally frustrated, shooting only 1-2 from the field, 0-1 from three point range, and 34 from the line for a total of 5 points. Hackett also managed to commit 3 turnovers of the team's 7 for the first half (compared to the nearly flawless ball being played by Washington Union, with only 2 turnovers for the half). At the end of the first half, the Panthers had started to blow the game wide open, and extended the 5 point first quarter lead by another seven and they led by 12 at the half 36-24.
Other first half scoring for the Saints: Tedric Williams 6, Josh Smith 9, David Malana 3, Jason Granlee 0 (-4 from the field, 0-2 from three point), and Matt Grundy 1. For Fresno Washington Union, Stevenson had 21 points, Stallworth 7, Wafer 2, Taylor 2, Deshawn Anderson 4.
In the second half, it was all WU, as Stallworth added another 6, Stevenson another 10, and the real key to the game was the number of forced turnovers by San Dimas who committed 16, and the Panthers scored off most of them. Washington Union had 9 steals to only 1 for San Dimas. Comparing shooting percentages, Stevenson shot 56% from the field, while Hackett shot only 30% and he got off far fewer shots, and was just not a factor for most of the game, finishing with 9 points.
Coach Gary Prestestater was philosphical about the loss, saying "They were just much too physical for us, and I don't see anyone beating them. We missed too many shots, and never really got into a groove. It's very disappointing, but I'm very proud of our boys for getting this far."
Coach Vonn Webb was also pleased about the win, but still looking ahead to next weekend: "Who won up North? Do we get to see El Cerrito?" Yes coach, you'll get El Cerrito, because they beat Acalanes 48-41.
See you there next week. In the meantime, here are some photos of the game.
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