September 7, 2024

OC Sports Zone: Community First

JSerra tops Tesoro in overtime to capture Beach Bash Tournament championship

JSerra players and players from the Churchie team in Australia celebrate after the Beach Bash Tournament Saturday. (Photos courtesy JSerra Athletics).

JSerra High School’s boys basketball team remained undefeated on the season, defeating Tesoro 61-55 in the championship game of the Beach Bash Tournament at Corona del Mar Saturday night.

JSerra’s Aidan Fowler and Tesoro’s Carson Brown were named co-MVPS, according to Corona del Mar Coach and Tournament Director Jason Simco.

“Great games all day capped by an amazing final,” Simco said. “Couldn’t help but give Carson and Aidan the award. They were both deserving and that final could have gone either way. Both teams deserved a win. It’s the first time in 12 years that we’ve done co-MVP and had one from the team that lost.”

Tesoro, which was 3-1 in the tournament, suffered its second loss of the season playing without two starters and “our sixth man” out injured, according to Coach Steve Garrett.

The Titans (11-2) were led by Brown, who scored 25 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Nathan Draper had 13 points and seven rebounds and Blake Manning six points and eight assists for the Titans.

“It was a gutty performance and win from our group,” JSerra Coach Keith Wilkinson said. “We didn’t play our best basketball and found a way to pull it out. Tesoro out-competed us most of the night, out executed us and were tougher but the final two minutes we found a way.

“Aidan Fowler was a warrior as always and clutch down the stretch. Sebastian Rancik really guarded well and was a solid playmaker for us and the guy who really stepped up tonight was Diego Martinez. He took a huge charge to get their best player (Carson Brown) out (on fouls) and hit some timely shots.”

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

Martinez also scored nine points for JSerra.

The Lions (8-0) were led by Fowler, who had 23 points and Rancik who scored 14 points.

JSerra senior Jake Stafford and Rancik, a junior, were named to the all-tournament team and Fowler was named co-MVP.

Tesoro’s Draper and Manning were also named to the all-tournament team.

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