Lancers show Pats championship class
- Updated: March 3, 2018
The Christian Patriots following their championship game defeat on Saturday night.
2018 EAST COUNTY PREP BOYS BASKETBALL
By Ramon Scott
EastCountySports.com
SAN MARCOS – The Francis Parker Lancers may have been the No. 9 seeded team heading into the San Diego CIF Division I playoffs, but they finished as the clear head of the class by winning the San Diego CIF Division II championship over the Christian Patriots Saturday evening, 69-54, at San Marcos High.
Christian senior NASHOM CARTER scored 21 points, including the first basket of the game with a drive through the lane to the front of the rim, but the Lancers then scored the next 11 points to control the lead from that point.
“We started slow, very slow,” Christian head coach DAVION FAMBER said. “We didn’t look as if winning was as important as looking good on the court was. I think the championship atmosphere was a bit much for our young team.”
Junior JACKSON LARSEN had 10 points for Christian.
#Jackson Larsen drives to the basket…17-28! pic.twitter.com/i0XXWPXDrN
— CUSSDPatriots (@CUSSDPatriots) March 4, 2018
Juniors JORDAN GAINES and CHRISTIAN WEST both had eight points for the Pats. West added 11 rebounds.
Gaines ended the early drought for CHS after the Lancers were up 11-2.
“Usually we’d like to let our press dictate the pass of the game but Parker did a great job of not allowing us to set up,” Famber said.
After closing the lead to 16-9 on a three from Carter, Francis Parker built a 20-9 lead with under two to play in the first quarter behind the hot shooting of Daryl Sledge, who had 13 points in the first eight minutes.
Gaines had a basket that made it 20-11, then hit a jumper to make it 24-13, but the Francis Parker eventually led 36-22 at halftime.
“Late on closeouts, we gave Parker’s shooters too many wide open looks,” Famber said. “Missed opportunities on our end would often lead to multiple opportunities for Parker.”
Carter scored seven of the Patriots’ first 15 points and had 12 at halftime.
“We didn’t break out of our funk,” said San Diego City College-bound Carter of the slow start. “Defense wins championships and tonight wasn’t the night.”
#5 Nashom Carter with the last PATRIOT basket of the 2nd Period…at the half…22-36. pic.twitter.com/91YmWqdu6M
— CUSSDPatriots (@CUSSDPatriots) March 4, 2018
Transfers Matt Bender and Kimo Ferrari combined for 45 points for the Lancers as coach Jim Tomey won his ninth section title.
“Matt Bender is a stud and has such a soft touch around the rim,” Famber said. “The kid knows where he is on the court and makes quick, simple moves to get himself to his strong side to finish.”
The Patriots shot just 37 percent and were 2-of-11 from beyond the arc.
Christian hadn’t been to a CIF title game in 18 years.
“All but one (Gaines) have ever been out the first round let alone the championship,” Famber said. “There were things I should have did to elevate our team. I’d say that we were not ready to be champions and Parker was every bit of it tonight.
“It was great for my guys to see what championship basketball looked like.”
The teams ready for the state playoff announcement seedings on Sunday, as the Patriots will likely be hitting the long road.
