BELLFLOWER — The St. John Bosco basketball team knew what was at stake in a must-win game and delivered a dominant defensive performance to secure a 69-39 blowout victory over Heritage Christian in the CIF-Southern Section Open Division playoffs Friday night.
“I thought our guys executed a defensive game plan (Friday night),” St. John Bosco coach Matt Dunn said.
Bosco junior guard Brandon McCoy Jr. had a game-high 23 points, including 19 points in the second half. McCoy also grabbed 13 rebounds to complete his second consecutive postseason double-double.
“It took a lot,” McCoy said. “It was a rough game, physical game. I know we beat them in the past when I wasn’t playing but it’s still an Open Division team, still a good team, so it took a lot.”
Junior forward Christian Collins had nine points and eight rebounds. Senior guard Chris Komin also had nine points. Senior guard Elzie Harrington and junior guard Gavin Dean-Moss both had eight points.
“Our guys really locked in and we did a pretty good job sharing the ball,” Dunn continued. “It was a good effort by our guys for sure.”
The Braves improved to 26-5 overall and 2-1 in the Open Division.
No. 3 seed Bosco will play at No. 2 seed Roosevelt (30-2, 3-0) in the Pool B Open Division semifinals Tuesday. The winner will advance to the finals against Notre Dame (26-6, 4-0) on Saturday, March 1 at Toyota Arena in Ontario. Roosevelt beat Bosco 56-55 in overtime in the championship game at The Classic at Damien on Dec. 30. However, McCoy did not play as he was sidelined with a leg injury.
Heritage Christian (25-6, 0-3 Open Division) was led by senior forward Tae Simmons (San Diego State signee) with 18 points and nine rebounds. Senior guard Dillan Shaw (Saint Mary’s signee) added 10 points and seven rebounds.
Simmons put the Warriors up 2-0 early in the first quarter.
From then on, it was practically all Bosco.
A steal by Collins finished off with a fast break euro step dunk tied the game at 2. Collins’ 3-pointer off an assist from Harrington made it 5-2. Harrington’s layup off an assist from Collins gave the Braves a 7-2 advantage. Komin’s 3-pointer put Bosco up 10-2 with 3:47 left in the first. Komin’s up-and-under layup made it 12-2. Junior forward Max Ellis’ 3-pointer gave Bosco a commanding 15-2 lead. Two consecutive layup by Simmons made it 15-6 at the end of the first quarter.
Heritage Christian senior guard Freddie Crawford’s 3-pointer cut Bosco’s lead to 15-9 early in the second quarter.
However, the Braves outscored the Warriors by a 17-9 margin in the second and led 32-15 at halftime. Simmons had eight points in the first half. Komin had seven points.
McCoy’s fast break dunk off an assist from 7-foot junior center Howie Wu put Bosco up 34-15 early in the third quarter.
Dean-Moss’ steal and layup put Bosco up 43-24 late in the third quarter.
“Every game is important for me, especially for my team coming off the bench,” Dean-Moss said. “Bringing energy and trying to provide energy for the team coming off the bench. I’m always trying to help my team, my coaches, help my team win. Win a championship, win CIF, everything.”
“(Dean-Moss is) fun to root for,” Dunn shared. “It’s fun to watch him when he’s competing.”
Simmons and Shaw scored all 16 of Heritage Christian’s points in the third quarter. However, McCoy beat the buzzer with a fadeaway mid-range shot in the paint as the Braves established a 49-31 lead at the end of the third.
Simmons and Shaw scored another four points and cut Bosco’s lead to 49-35. McCoy went one of two from the free throw and hammered home of a fast break dunk to go back up 52-35 with 6:34 to go.
Collins later blocked Simmons’ shot at the rim, which kept the Braves energized down the homestretch.
McCoy kept attacking and scored Bosco’s first nine points of the fourth quarter, which extended the home team’s lead to 58-35 with less than five minutes to go.
“Whatever it takes to win,” McCoy explained. “This journey has been a long journey, had some setbacks but I’m in for a major comeback, even coming from last year so whatever it takes to win.”
McCoy’s 3-pointer put Bosco up 65-38 late.
“His effort is incredible and then to do that with toughness is pretty special and he showed that (Friday night),” said Dunn, when asked about McCoy.
The Braves emptied the bench and went on to secure a 69-39 victory.
Meanwhile, Bosco also beat Heritage Christian 52-43 in a nonleague game at The Classic at Damien on Dec. 27.
No. 10 seed Heritage Christian will conclude Open Division play at No. 7 Redondo (24-5, 1-2 Open Division) Tuesday.