Dominic Thomas tries to keep the ball in bounds. (Photo by Reece Kimes)
The Santa Rosa Academy boys basketball team won their regular-season finale against league foe San Jacinto Leadership Academy 56-46 in front of a packed house on Senior Night Tuesday night.
The game started off poorly for Santa Rosa as they quickly fell into a 15-3 hole just minutes into the first quarter. SJLA was hot from behind the arc and seemingly could not miss a shot, while the Rangers had trouble breaking down the Lions’ 2-3 zone and getting good looks.
After a timeout, Santa Rosa looked to regroup and the Rangers did just that. The shots still were not falling, but their defense stepped up and spearheaded them to a 5-0 run in the last three minutes of the quarter to lessen the deficit to 15-8.
The Rangers then extended that run to 11-0 behind great playmaking from Mycah Mason and some big threes from Cory Moore early in the second quarter to cut SJLA’s lead to just one.
Moore finished the game as the Rangers’ leading scorer with 21 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals. Mason finished with 8 points and 5 rebounds, while Christian Gonzalez and Tanner Strandt rounded out the scoring with 7 and 6 points, respectively.
Santa Rosa continued to add on to its major scoring run, bringing it up to 19-0 before the Lions finally got on the board again. After the half was all said and done, the Rangers had gone on a 22-1 run, spanning from the middle of the first quarter to the end of the second, leaving the score at 25-16 in favor of Santa Rosa.
Coach Tom Crunk commented on his team’s early rebound from being down big.
“It definitely wasn’t the start we wanted,” he said. “Being Senior Night, we opened with a senior-heavy lineup, and while that group brings a lot of leadership and heart, most of our primary playmakers are underclassmen. On top of that, they came out hot from three. The last time we played them, they struggled from deep… seeing them knock three early threes down caught us a bit off guard.
“With about four minutes left in the first quarter, we adjusted our rotations. That shift brought better energy, cleaner execution, and allowed us to go on that run. Once we found our rhythm, the guys really responded.”
The second half was much more evenly contested. SJLA attempted to cut into the Rangers’ lead multiple times, but their baskets were always met with a response from Santa Rosa, which maintained a cushion with their lead. Despite that fact, the Lions would not go away.
Midway through the fourth quarter, the Lions looked like they were poised to go on a major run of their own when they scored seven unanswered points to cut the lead down to eight. The two teams then traded a couple buckets before Moore iced the game with a massive 3-pointer to give Santa Rosa an 11-point lead with a minute and a half to go. The Rangers (19-9 overall) improved their South Valley League record to a third-place 10-4 and are on a four-game winning streak.
“The four-game win streak is huge, especially because of how we’ve done it,” said Crunk. “It’s been built on chemistry and unselfish play. Each of those wins has looked a little different, with different players stepping up in key moments, and that’s exactly what you want heading into postseason play. We like where we’re at, and we’re excited to see what this next week brings as we head into a potential playoff run.
“What I’m most proud of is how these guys have stayed connected through adversity, accepted their roles, and continued to grow together as a team. They’ve bought into the bigger picture, and that mindset has us excited and ready for what’s next.”
CIF-SS playoff brackets will be announced on Saturday.
Chase Snell puts up a contested shot. (Photo by Reece Kimes)
Mycah Mason works against a defender. (Photo by Reece Kimes)
Cory Moore looks for someone to pass to. (Photo by Reece Kimes)
Chase Snell looks to shoot. (Photo by Reece Kimes)
