The boys basketball team began its preseason by outplaying (they didn’t keep score, but the Barons dominated) Woodbridge in a scrimmage. Then continued into the regular season with an impressive 30 point win at Rancho to advance to the second round in the La Quinta tournament.
San Clemente would present the Baron’s first real challenge of the season. It was a roller coaster game with seven lead changes and the Barons got off to a quick start with an eleven point lead in the first quarter, however the Tritons came back and took a seven point lead by halftime.
The Barons switched to a zone defense in the second half and regained the lead in the third quarter. Sean Myers (’12) sparked the offense for the Barons, creating plays for teammates and knocking down momentum changing three pointers while Nathan Moss (’12) and Sean Finely (’12) both made key plays around the rim to keep the Barons in the game. When the Tritons started to find a way to score on the Barons’ zone, Coach Holmes had the team revert back to the man defense which kept San Clemente in check for the game’s last possessions.
Down by one with 10 seconds left, the Barons had a chance to take the lead with two wide open tip-ins, but failed to convert on both and the ball rolled out of bounds. Luckily the ball went to the Barons. On the inbounds play, Myers was fouled with 3.6 seconds left and Fountain Valley called time out to draw out the final play of the game. With the final possession and the team down by 1, Zack Richartz (’12) received the ball and drilled a 3 point shot as time expired sending Fountain Valley into a frenzy and the Tritons to the consolation game.
Fountain Valley will be playing in the semifinals of the La Quinta tournament and look to advance to a record of 3-0 at La Quinta, Friday at 6:30.
