PHOTOS: Tustin holds off late challenge to reach tournament semifinals

Eli Nyeazi of Tustin goes up for a shot Wednesday night. (Photo courtesy Cesar Padilla / Ocular Photography).

Tustin High School’s boys basketball team turned back a late challenge by Woodcreek from Roseville Wednesday night and captured a 45-42 victory in a championship quarterfinal round game of the Tustin Classic.

The Tillers (10-4) move on to face Tesoro Thursday night at 6 p.m. in the semifinals of their own tournament. Los Alamitos faces Beckman at 7:30 p.m. in the other semifinal with the winners meeting in the championship game Friday at 7:30 p.m.

To see the slide show, click on the first photo:

Eli Nyeazi was Tustin's leading scorer Wednesday.
Photo: Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone

Tustin Coach Ringo Bossenmeyer welcomes his players to the bench during a timeout.
Photo Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone

Carson Jue of Tustin tries to get past Tyler Hennessey of Woodcreek.
Photo: Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone

Ethan Contreras brings the ball up for Tustin.
Photo: Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone

Josh Birket of Tustin applies defensive pressure.
Photo courtesy Cesar Padilla / Ocular Photography

“They’re a talented team but I thought our competitive spirit and our defense, it was our best defensive effort of the year (was the difference),” said Tustin Coach Ringo Bossenmeyer.

Bossenmeyer was especially pleased with the defensive effort of Carson Jue and Ben Ngo on Woodcreek’s guard.

Tustin led 25-16 at halftime and 34-29 after three quarters. Johnny Sagarino sank a 3-pointer at the buzzer ending the third quarter to give the Tillers a five-point edge.

However, Woodcreek cut the lead to 42-39 on a 3-pointer by Austin Ito with 33 seconds left. But Ethan Contreras and Eli Nyeazi sank free throws in the final seconds to clinch the win for the TIllers.

Nyeazi had 15 points to lead Tustin. Osten Achmad had seven points and Crean Lutheran transfer Josh Birket had 10 rebounds in his second game with the Tillers.

“It was a great team victory,” said Nyeazi. “We’ve had a little rough stretch but I was glad to see this. We played a good game today all together, every single one of us.

“Every year with this team, it’s a great environment and I love the guys, each and everyone of them.”

Woodcreek (10-4) was led by Ito, who had 15 points.

—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com