PHOTOS: Segerstrom breaks it open in second half and gets past city rival Godinez 51-40

Joey Contreras brings the ball up for Segerstrom in Friday’s game against Godinez. (Photos: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone)

After a tight first half in front of a near capacity home crowd at Segerstrom High, the home team Jaguars broke open a close game and rolled to a 51-40 victory over Godinez in a Golden West League boys basketball game Friday night.

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Jaguars center Othoniel Tarin scored 22 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to lead Segerstrom (6-13, 2-0) to its third consecutive win and second in league.

Tarin scored nine points in the third quarter as the Jaguars created some separation. Tarin’s back-to-back baskets propelled Segerstrom to a 32-19 lead with 3:10 to play in the quarter.

“We spaced ourselves better in the second half and we got used to the atmosphere,” said Tarin. “We played harder in the second half and executed better.”

However, the Grizzlies responded.

Joseph Lopez scored eight straight points for Godinez (11-8, 0-2) as it cut the lead to 33-27 with 1:14 remaining in the quarter.

But Segerstrom answered back as Joey Contreras and Kevin Avila sparked a 6-0 run over the final minute and the Jaguars upped their lead to 39-27 after three quarters.

Avila was a force on the glass at both ends as he hauled down nine rebounds.

“I told our guys before the game, at halftime and during the game that this is our house and we have to play with more intensity,” Avila added.  “We were more active in the second half and developed a rhythm.”

Contreras also said his team played better in the second half.

“We played harder defense in the second half and it lead to quick scores,” said Contreras, who poured in 12 points.  

Tarin hit Segerstrom’s first three buckets of the fourth quarter and the Grizzlies were unable to mount a comeback. 

Both teams started the game by playing aggressive defense.

For most of the game, Godinez was without its leading scorer, Andrew Valdez, who entered the game averaging 21.2 points per game. He twisted his right ankle midway through the first quarter and left the game.  He sat on the bench for a few minutes in pain before being escorted to the locker room for treatment. He was unable to return to action but was able to walk without assistance following the game.   

“I came down on somebody’s foot and I twisted my ankle,” said Valdez, a junior. “It ‘s very painful and I think it’s the worst sprain I’ve ever had.”

Grizzlies coach Greg Coombs said it’s not the first time Valdez has sprained that ankle.

“He hurt it in practice and missed the first couple games of the season,” Coombs said. “We need Drew and we hope to get him back next week.”

Coombs said several other players stepped up in Valdez’s absence.

“Guys like Roger Aquino and Joseph Lopez really picked up their game.,” he added. “They started making shots and moving well without the ball. Lopez really answered the bell for us in the third quarter. We kept going to him and he responded.”

Lopez finished the game with 20 points and Aquino added 11 points for Godinez.  

Aquino’s steal and basket in the final seconds of he opening quarter gave the Grizzlies an 11-10 lead after eight minutes of play.

The Jaguars defense stiffened in the second quarter as Segerstrom held Godinez to four points in the quarter. Jerson Quero’s steal and basket with seven seconds left in the half gave Segerstrom a 20-15 lead at the break. 

Both teams committed their share of turnovers, the Grizzlies (11-8, 0-2) had 18 turnovers and the Jaguars had 17.

Segerstrom coach Brandon Rogers said it was a key win for his team.

“When you hold a team to 15 points in a half and 40 points for the game, you’re going to be in those games,” said Rogers. “I think we were too hyped up in the first half, this game being a city rivalry. When we settled down, we played a lot better. Tarin is our leading scorer and rebounder and he was outstanding and I was really pleased with the play of guards Jerson Quero, Alex Chavez and Adam Ibarra.”

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-Tom Connolly, For OC Sports Zone