Cypress avenges loss to Tustin with key Empire League victory in front of home fans

Jonah Kim, competing in a game last week, led Cypress to an Empire League victory Thursday night. (File photo OC Sports Zone, Fernando M. Donado)

Cypress High School’s boys basketball team avenged last week’s loss to Tustin with a 54-39 Empire League victory over the Tillers before an enthusiastic turnout in the Cypress gymnasium Thursday night.

“Jonah Kim took over by scoring all 17 points of his points in the second half,” said Cypress Coach Derek Mitchell. “Jonah was able to impose his will on the game tonight. Our guards did a great job picking up full court and not fouling tonight. They set the tone for us early.”

Cypress, which hosts Pacifica Friday night, is battling for a CIF playoff berth with one week left in the regular season after this week. Tustin (19-7, 5-2) and Cypress (12-12, 4-3) are trying to lock up automatic CIF playoff berths.

Cypress held a 21-19 halftime lead in the makeup game Thursday.

Kody Papke had 13 points and Devon Washington and Jonas Hanson had six points each for the Centurions.

Ernest Love had 17 points and Eli Nyeazi 10 points to lead Tustin, which plays league-leading Crean Lutheran Friday at Crean Lutheran.