Experienced Bosco Tech captures CIF quarterfinal playoff victory over Northwood

Zaid Yunis of Northwood tries to drive to the basket Tuesday vs. Bosco Tech. (Photo: Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone).

It was a rough ending to a memorable season for Northwood High School’s boys basketball team Tuesday night in a CIF 3A quarterfinal round playoff game.

The Timberwolves trailed 16-11 after one quarter and stayed close for part of the second quarter before a talented Don Bosco Tech team took control and rolled to an 80-54 victory at Northwood.

Don Bosco Tech moves into the semifinals Friday to host Santa Barbara.

“We just ran into a really tough team that was tougher than us today,” said Northwood Coach Christian Manalo. “They made the plays, they looked like the veteran team tonight and we just didn’t make some of the shots we usually make to start off the game and it kind of snow-balled into the second half.

“But give credit to Bosco, Tech, they are battled tested, we knew that going into it and their experience showed tonight.”

Ryan Osborne scored 27 points and Jaden Frami 19 points to lead Bosco Tech. Northwood (23-8) was led by Zaid Yunis, who had 20 points. Justin Liu had 10 points and Ryan Abaye had 10 points each for the Timberwolves.

Don Bosco Tech (22-8) held a three point lead in the second quarter but headed into the locker-room with a 12-0 run and a 36-21 lead at halftime. The Tigers then continued their solid play in the third quarter moving out to a 42-23 lead with 5:44 left and led 58-37 going into the final quarter.

“I thought we did a decent job, we were just a little undisciplined on the weak side,” Manalo said about Northwood’s defense. “I wish we could have done a little bit better.”

Manalo said he was proud of the season for his team, which was the best in six years at Northwood.

“They really left their mark at Northwood,” he said. “This is a special team that really bought in from day one when I got here and the seniors have really bought in and they showed what we can do once we really come together. They’re the ones who really get the credit: Aidan Arnold, Ryan Abaye, Matthew Boothroyd, TJ Navarro, Cihan Guzeltas and Zaid Yunis, those guys are the one who set the tone and the foundation for what they do. I’m really proud of this group.

“A lot of records broken, but more importantly a lot of great young men who are leaving this program that this coaching staff will remembers for the rest of the time that we coach.”

Yunis and Abaye led the way all season for Northwood.

“It’s the end of the road for one of the best players to put on a Northwood jersey, he’s obviously in the top 10 for points,” Manalo said of Yunis. “I’m just really proud of what he’s given to the program as well as Ryan Abaye, those two have really been the foundation for us the past three years.”

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