JSerra boys basketball team finishes strong and gets past San Gabriel 53-49 in Mike’s Long Shot Challenge at CdM

Ian Martinez of JSerra maintains control as DJ Rodman (right) waits for a pass during Monday’s game.

JSerra’s boys basketball team had a rocky start beginning the third quarter.

But the Lions regrouped in the fourth quarter, put together a strong finish and defeated San Gabriel Academy 53-49 in the final game of the Mike’s Long Shot Challenge at Corona del Mar Monday evening.

“It was really sloppy for us but this was our fourth game in about six days,” said JSerra Coach Keith Wilkinson. “Our guys were probably a little tired and we had an emotional one at Orange Lutheran (76-74 Trinity League loss) that we let slip away and then we had another tough one (62-60 victory over Albany in overtime) at home on Saturday.

“So we gave them the day off yesterday. We were able to gut it out.”

JSerra led 26-17 at halftime but San Gabriel Academy (15-6) started the third quarter with an 8-2 run and wound up outscoring JSerra 19-4 in the stanza to take a 34-30 edge going into the final quarter.

However, JSerra (19-7) finished strong to seal the victory behind the 21-point performance of DJ Rodman and a 16-point effort by Ian Martinez.

“Guys hit some big shots; it was not the performance we wanted but we’re always happy with the W,” Wilkinson said.

The Lions moved out to a 47-43 lead on a basket by Rodman with 1:35 left but San Gabriel cut the lead to one on a basket by Luis Riascos.

However, Martinez sank a 3-pointer, one of three he hit in the final quarter, on the next trip down to give JSerra the needed cushion down the stretch.

“He made that big corner shot there on that little step-back three,” Wilkinson said. “He and DJ have made big shots time and time again this year. Big-time players always make big-time shots.”

Rodman got off to a slow start. He was held scoreless in the first quarter but got untracked with 12 points in the second quarter.

“He was solid and he’s had a heck of a year this year,” Wilkinson said. “We didn’t have a ton of energy coming out, but we finished, so that was important.”

Riascos scored 13 points and Boubacar Coulibaly had 12 points to lead San Gabriel Academy.

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