Title drought ends for one team as prep boys basketball section championships are decided
So close for the Central High boys basketball team.
Marquise Green made a 3-pointer in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 33 with six minutes remaining, but top-seeded Bakersfield Christian got back on top with a pair of free throws to take the lead and went on to defeat the Grizzlies 55-49 in the Central Section Division I championship on Thursday.
“We got a second burst of energy and started playing really good team defense,” Central coach Greg Streets said. “Communicating, working together and rebounding and try to hold them to one shot. We were successful there and on our end, we didn’t turn the ball over. Being poised and disciplined actually allowed us to tie the game up.”
The Grizzlies were eyeing their first section championship since 2018, according to section historian Bob Barnett.
Bakersfield Christian won back-to-back section titles, winning the Division III title in 2021.
Central finished the Tri-River Athletic Conference in third place at 6-4.
“We fought through a lot of adversity this year,” Streets said. “Just really, learning how to play together. I was proud of the team, primarily for sticking together, fighting and continuing to fight and pulling together to get us this far.”
The Grizzlies will find out where they will play in the regionals when pairings are announced on Sunday.
Division II
Top-seed Mt. Whitney is a section champion for the first time since 1990, Barnett said.
But it wasn’t easy even after building a 16-point lead at halftime.
No. 14 Frontier chipped away in the second half and got within two, but the Pioneers never relinquished the lead and sealed the title with two free throws by Zach Scattareggia for a 54-51 victory.
Division V
No. 6 Central Valley Christian is a section champion for the first time since 2012.
The Cavaliers defeated No. 13 Kennedy 60-40 to win their seventh section title.
CVC last won a title in 2012.
Also
Division III: No. 1 Golden Valley 87, No. 7 Atascadero 73
Division IV: No. 14 Garces 61, No. 1 Rosamond 51
This story was originally published February 24, 2022 at 8:38 PM.
