Santa Rosa loses playoff opener in final seconds, 59-55

Joshua Grace knocks the ball away from an opponent during Wednesday's game. (Photo by Rick Rowell)

By Paige Mendez, Correspondent

The Santa Rosa Academy boys basketball team closed out its season with a 59-55 loss to Wilson Wednesday night.

The visiting Wildcats started the game with a 7-2 run and held on to the lead until the last minute of the first quarter. Thanks to a handful of steals, Santa Rosa was able to rally back from a 17-11 deficit to a 20-17 lead. Senior Anthony Garlington scored seven of those nine points to put his team in the lead.

After a slow second quarter — both teams having gone five minutes without scoring — the Rangers maintained the lead, going into the half up 26-24.

That lead stayed in their favor for nearly 85 percent of the game, thanks to a team total 36 rebounds, each player on the roster having at least one steal, and Garlington posting 21 points on the night. Dylan Sapong also contributed 15 points on the night, even though he fouled out toward the end of the fourth quarter.

“Dylan was a huge loss for us,” said head coach Tom Crunk. “But that is also a testament to his aggressiveness, and that’s something we really love on our team.”

In addition to Sapong fouling out, Garlington also had to spend time on the bench due to an injury around the five-minute mark of the fourth quarter. Century Castle, the league’s leading rebounder, was also out for the entire game due to academic probation.

For the first two minutes of the fourth quarter, Santa Rosa had held Wilson scoreless, extending their lead to as much as eight at one point. But Garlington’s injury seemed to change the momentum on behalf of Wilson and their defense intensified. They recorded seven of their team’s total 14 steals in the last six minutes of game time.

With a minute and a half to go in the game, Garlington returned to the court and the Rangers had a seven-point lead after a block from senior Daniel Flores and a 3-pointer by Garlington.

However, a few Ranger turnovers and steals by the Wildcats quickly turned the game around.

Wilson senior Nicholas Valencia stole the ball and drew a foul from the Rangers, who were in a bonus situation. He made his second shot and tied the game.

Justin York was set to inbound the ball for Santa Rosa but was called on a line violation, so Wilson got the ball under its own hoop with 31 seconds to go.

The Rangers got the ball back after a quick traveling violation was called on the Wildcats, but the inbound pass was stolen and Wilson stepped to the free throw line again. They shot 1 for 1 that time, but a jump ball on a hard-fought rebound made for yet another Wilson inbound pass from under their own hoop with 18 seconds on the game clock.

The fouling continued and this time when the Wildcats went 1 for 1 at the line, Santa Rosa secured the rebound, but at this point were trailing by two with 8 seconds on the game clock.

The Rangers got the ball to their side and had it kicked out of bounds by the Wildcats, set to inbound again under their own hoop, but it was stolen by Wildcat freshman Justin Kayode, who was then fouled and made each of his free throws to seal his team’s win.

Kayode contributed 24 points on the night with five rebounds and two steals. York led the Rangers in rebounds with 12. Garlington led Santa Rosa with 21 points on the night and eight rebounds.

Crunk said there’s a lot he will remember from the game and the full season.

“The highlight for me tonight was the three and a half quarters that we were ahead. These boys fought so well and that why it’s so hard to talk about,” said Crunk. “But from the beginning we said we wanted to win league and we brought home that banner, so I’m very proud.”

This was the program’s first undefeated league season and the first 20-5 record posted in Crunk’s inaugural year as head coach.

Andrew Aitchison reaches high for a rebound for Santa Rosa Academy. (Photo by Rick Rowell)

 Anthony Garlington flies toward the hoop during Santa Rosa Academy's game against Wilson. (Photo by Rick Rowell)

 

Daniel Flores shoots from the outside over a Wilson defender. (Photo by Rick Rowell)