PHOTOS: Sunny Hills rallies to defeat Century 48-44 and capture third place at tourney

Wilson Cal of Sunny Hills drives to the basket against Century.’s Luis Moran. (Photos: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone)

Sunny Hills boys basketball team overcame a double-digit first-half deficit and rallied to defeat Century 48-44 to capture third–place in the Century Elks Holiday Basketball Tournament Monday night at Century High.

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

Steven Yoo brings the ball up for Sunny Hills.

Peter Park of Sunny Hills is defended by Tyler Thomas of Century.

Steven Yoo of Sunny Hills defends against Century's Damian Martinez.

Louis Moran of Century looks to pass off as Caleb Harnett of Sunny Hills defends.

Sunny Hills Coach Joe Ok talks to his team during a timeout.

Century's Damian Martinez brings the ball up Monday.

Dylan Lawson of Sunny Hills is defended by Jesus Bautista of Century.

Rodrigo Ramirez of Century tries to get position against Sunny Hills.

Century Coach Andres Hernandez encourages his team including No. 10 Luis Moran.

Emmanuel Seddoh led Sunny Hills to the victory.

Senior forward Emmanuel Seddoh scored 19 points to lead the Lancers as they improved to 11-7 and have now won five of their last six games. 

Trailing 24-15 at halftime, Sunny Hills dominated the third quarter and outscored the Centurions 21-4 to take a 36-28 lead after three quarters.

Seddoh scored eight points in the quarter and was a force on defense as well as the Lancers held Century scoreless for the 5:26 of the quarter. 

“We played good defense in the second half and were relentless,” said Seddoh. “We didn’t give up when we were down early, but we have to come and play better at the start of the game.”

The Centurions cut the lead to 44-42 on a basket by Eduardo Sorto with 1:01 to play, but Steve Yoo made four free throws in the final 17 seconds to secure the win for Sunny Hills.

Peter Park scored nine points for the Lancers and teammates Wilson Cal and Dylan Lawson each poured in eight points apiece. 

Rodrigo Ramirez scored 19 points for Century and Sorto added 13 points. The Centurions dropped to 9-8 on the season.

“Our focus was to pick up the pace in the second half,” said Lancers coach Joe Ok. “We hesitated and they slowed us down in the first half but then we emphasized pushing the ball up the floor and playing pressure defense.”

Century High coach Andres Hernandez said his team never gave up.

“We battled and we proved we can compete with any public school in the county,” Hernandez said. ”In the third and fourth quarters they were more physical in the post and we missed a lot of shots.”   

Sunny Hills went 3-1 in the tourney, defeating Segerstrom, Edison and Century and losing only to Brea Olinda, the tournament champion.

-Tom Connolly, For OC Sports Zone