JSerra players listen to Coach Keith Wilkinson during a timeout Friday at the California Live Tourney. (Photos: Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone).
A win can be just as satisfying in the first week of the summer as the regular season.
Just ask members of the JSerra High School boys basketball team. The Lions rallied from a six-point second half deficit to defeat Carlsbad 64-63 in the opening round of the California Live Tournament Friday at Tustin High School.
Senior guard Aidan Fowler, one of the top players on last year’s team, cooly sank an outside jumper with 5.7 seconds left to put the Lions ahead by one. After calling timeout, Carlsbad worked the ball into the front court, but the shot fell off the rim as time expired.
The Lions players on the bench rushed onto the court to celebrate with the starters.
“I was mostly missing my whole game and I just had to get to my spot and stay confident in my work and I got to my spot, raced over and made it,” said Fowler, who is uncommitted for college.
“I got to give it to my teammates, they stepped up for me. I’m just trying to get noticed and hopefully get a couple of offers and just make a name for myself.”
Cal Baptist and UC Riverside have shown interest in Fowler so far.
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Fowler said that teammate Drew Bowman, a 6-4 guard, also came through with a big effort. Bowman had a dunk and a 3-pointer which gave the Lions a spark midway through the second of two 16-minute halves.
“I think that hyped us up to get some more stops too,” Fowler said. “Drew really stepped up, I’m glad he’s with us now.”
JSerra Coach Keith Wilkinson has seen Fowler deliver before.
“That’s who that kid is, he’s a winner, he’s been a four-year varsity guy, he was the offensive MVP of the Trinity League . He didn’t play great in the first half, but two big charges in the second half and he got rewarded with the game-winner He’s the toughest kid I’ve ever coached.”
Wilkinson was also pleased with the effort of Bowman, the younger brother of former JSerra standout Max Bowman.
“He had a huge game for us, a transition dunk and a couple three’s and was a good spark off the bench for us, he was fantastic tonight,” the coach said.
JSerra has been practicing four days this summer in preparation for the tournament.
“We’re just trying to build a little cohesion, have a little bit of fun and try go guard the basketball a little,” Wilkinson said.
Wilkinson also hopes that the college coaches at the event take a look at some of his players.
“I think Aidan Fowler is a Division 1 basketball player,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity for these young guys to go and play.”
Another prospect coaches may be interested in is 7-foot sophomore forward Juuma Kitendo.
JSerra continues tournament play with two games on Saturday.
—-Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com
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