Pacifica Christian earns a trip to the CIF 4AA finals with 69-54 win over Quartz Hill

Solomon Davis of Pacifica Christian, shown being introduced Thursday night, had a solid game Saturday night. (File photo: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone).

As the final buzzer went off to end Saturday night’s CIF Division 4AA playoff game the Pacifica Christian student body stormed the court to congratulate the Tritons boys basketball team.

Pacific Christian forward Judah Brown scored 19 points, grabbed 14 rebounds and recorded nine blocked shots to lead the Tritons to a 69-54 victory over Quartz Hill before a capacity and boisterous hometown crowd.

In only their third varsity season playing basketball, the Tritons (23-7) earned their second trip to the finals and will be seeking their first CIF title when they face their league rival Fairmont Prep in next Saturday CIF finals. The Huskies defeated Silverado 55-54 in Saturday’s other semifinal contest.

Next Saturday’s CIF final will mark the third time the Tritons and Fairmont Prep will play each other this season. Pacifica Christian lost both games by single digits to the Huskies, with both games going into overtime before being decided. 

“It feels amazing to win this game, we’re super excited to be going to the finals and I think we can win it,” said Brown, who caused disruption to the Rebels attack at both ends of the court throughout the game. “Our coach has preached to us all year that we have to finish the game and tonight we did that. It was a hard battle against a very good team.”

Josh Sims and Houston Mallette were also outstanding as the Tritons built a second half lead and never let Quartz Hill pose a serious comeback run. 

“We are so blessed to be going back to the finals,” said Pacifica Christian Coach Jeffrey Berokoff. “We played sound fundamental basketball and we worked together as a team and we have glory to God for the victory.”

The Tritons led 33-24 at the break and at the start of the third quarter started Brown flexed his muscles and turned his game up a notch. He added three consecutive baskets and Solomon Davis pumped in a spinning layup as Pacific Christian increased its lead to 46-32 with 3:25 to play in the third quarter. Davis wound up with 10 points.

The Rebels trimmed the lead to 50-40 by the end of the quarter but the Tritons saved their best for down the stretch.

Ley Russell made two free throws as the Rebels pulled to within 10 points at 56-46 at the 4:44 mark, but Pacific Christian answered with a strong run to close out to the game.

Sims, who scored 18 points, added three straight baskets in the final minutes to put the game out of reach. His basket with 3:07 remaining upped the Tritons lead to 62-46 much to the delight of the home crowd.

“Our offense turned the game around in the second half and we executed,” Sims said. 

“Our rebounding and our focus were the keys to the game,” said Mallette, a sophomore who scored 15 points. “We boxed out well and kicked the ball out to our shooters. I’m so happy for our seniors that we are going back to the finals.”

Russell led the Rebels with 15 points and Dan Edwards added 12 as Quartz Hill ended their season with a 15-12 mark.

“They (Pacifica Christian) are right up there with one of the best teams we played all season,” said Rebels coach Bernard Nichter. “We just couldn’t get the ‘rock’ in the basket. We didn’t shoot well and when you don’t shoot well, you can’t win.”

The game got off to a quick start as both teams raced up and down the court. Sims and Brown combined to score 11 points in the opening quarter as the Tritons lead 13-10 after the eight minutes of play. 

Pacifica Christian continued to beat the Rebels down court on a consistent basis and converted six-of-six free throws in the final 1:16 of the half to take an 11-point lead at the break.

The Tritons won their seventh consecutive game and played their first home playoff game on their home court.

Earlier in the week, Pacifica Christian was forced to play a home playoff game at Calvary Chapel High school because its gymnasium experienced leaks in the roof as a result of this week’s rain. 

-Tom Connolly, For OC Sports Zone