How No. 16 Sunnyside defeated No. 1 Lemoore in Central Section boys basketball playoffs
Don’t tell Sunnyside High boys basketball coach Corey Duckworth it’s an upset.
His 16th-seeded Wildcats traveled to meet top-seeded Lemoore and came out on top 53-42 in a Central Section Division II playoff game Wednesday night.
Duckworth felt his team should’ve got a better seed, but no matter.
“We were not really a 16 in our eyes,” he said. “More importantly, our guys are finally coming around. We got out football players the first week of December. Did not have much practice time early. We just told our team only worry about how we look in February. We knew we’d be a much better team around this time of year.”
Duckworth said he understands why some will call it an upset, but “to us we know we can play with anyone.”
Sunnyside will next face No. 9 Ridgeview at 6 p.m. Friday.
Sunnyside’s Malachi Barnes, CJ Jones and Tanner Wilson were big in the second half, Duckworth said. Some key shots in the fourth quarter gave the Wildcats the lift they needed.
“Our guys are tough and won’t back down to anyone,” Duckworth said. “We knew it would be a game, but Lemoore is a good team. They brought out the best in us.”
McLane ends drought
It had been 27 years since McLane last won a Central Section playoff game.
That drought ended Wednesday when the 12th-seeded Highlanders topped No. 5 Caruthers 50-40 in Division V.
McLane gets a home quarterfinal game Friday at 6 p..m. against North Yosemite League rival Madera South after the 13th-seeded Stallions upset No. 4 Lindsay.
This story was originally published February 15, 2023 at 9:53 PM.
