PHOTOS: Pacifica Christian, without star player, falls to La Mirada in CIF 2A semifinals

La Mirada’s Chris Bando and Pacifica Christian’s Logan Stewart compete for a loose ball. (Photos courtesy Jim McCormack, For OC Sports Zone).

A Pacifica Christian season that had been filled with exhilarating moments took a tough turn Friday night when the Tritons fell to host La Mirada, 55-37 in a CIF 2A basketball semifinal.

The Tritons played the last two games without their best player, Northwestern signee Parker Strauss. The absence wasn’t felt in a Tuesday win over Coach Jeff Berokoff’s alma mater, Sonora.

But Friday night the Tritons needed all hands on deck in a physical 32-minute duel before a capacity plus crowd in the Matador gym.

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

Pacifica Christian players and fans celebrate a Triton basket.

Pacifica Christian’s EJ Spillman corrals a rebound between La Mirada’s Chris Bando (left) and Isaiah Valenzuela.

Alex Stewart gives Pacifica Christian an early 2-0 lead with a steal and breakaway basket. Chris Bando trails.

Pacifica Christian’s Salim Semann drives to the basket against defense of La Mirada’s Sean Cervantes (4) and MJ Smith.

La Mirada Coach Randy Oronoz calls for a time out as the Tritons Alex Stewart traps La Mirada’s Isaiah Paschal in the corner.

Pacifica Christian Coach Jeff Berokoff questions a call.

Multiple bodies were the floor often in a physical basketball game. On the floor, La Mirada’s Chris Bando and Pacifica Christian’sTanner Deal.

La Mirada’s Anrgi Castillo blocks a shot by Pacifica Christian’s Alex Stewart.

Pacifica Christian’s EJ Spillman muscles his way to the basket against the defense of Sean Cervantes.

La Mirada’s Sean Cervantes, who scored 15 points and had eight assists, tries to avoid Triton defenders Tanner Deal (13) and Logan Stewart.

Pacifica Christian’s Logan Stewart is fouled driving to the basket. Foul was on La Mirada’s Isaiah Paschal with sprawling Julian Gomez trying to draw the charge.

Pacifica Christian fans encourage the Tritons.

Pacifica Christian’s Jeffrey Bohlinger eludes a La Mirada double team of Chris Bando (9) and MJ Smith.

Julian Gomez’s dunk with four minutes to increased La Mirada’s lead to 20 and elicited a celebration with fans and teammates. Gomez had a game-high 17 points.

Pacifica Christian Coach Jeff Bereokoff and his players follow the action in the final minute.

The Tritons scored the evening’s first basket on a steal and breakaway lay-in by Alex Stewart, but that was
countered by a 3 by La Mirada senior guard Sean Cervantes and the visitors never led again.

That does not mean, however the game was one-sided. The Tritons got close, within one to four points 10 times in the game. They were down one after one, two after two.

The game began to slip away early in the third quarter when La Mirada opened the second half on a 10-2 run and Pacifica Christian played chase the rest of the way.

La Mirada’s defense was stellar throughout. The Tritons reached double figures only once in a quarter (11 in the second) in scoring their lowest point total of the season.

Logan Stewart led the Tritons (23-9) with 11 points, and Alex Stewart and EJ Spillman each contributed 8.
Cervantes had 15 points and eight assists for La Mirada, many of his passes going to sophomore Julian Gomez, who had a game-high 17 points.

La Mirada (23-9) advances to the CIF Division 2A title game against Rancho Christian, a 44-41 winner over
Aguinas. The game will be played Saturday, Feb. 25 at a site to be determined.

Pacifica Christian will still compete in the state tournament by virtue of its trip to the semifinals.

—Courtesy Jim McCormck for OC Sports Zone