Capital Christian Boys Basketball Victorious

Last night at Power Balance Pavilion, the Cougars came to play and they were as lean and mean and snarling as any Cougar could ever hope to be. This team has been on a mission all season to go further than any Cougar team in the 30 year history of the school has ever gone before in Boys Basketball. Last night they made their own history.

The Cougars starting 5 of Trey Belton, D.J. Wilson, Justice Shelton-Mosely, Tyler Jennings and Matt Donlan quickly took control of the game jumping out to a 7-2 lead within the first 3 minutes. The twin 6'6" firepower of Wilson and Donlan caused a lot of grief to the Central Catholic defenders and although the Raiders were able to flood the paint, the Cougar pair were able to find their shot on the midrange jumper easily.  Nifae Lealao came into the game off the bench and quickly showed the Raiders that as well as size, skilled footwork and multiple spin moves on the way to the basket is what really counts - he added another 6 points in the first quarter on the way to a first quarter lead of 20-10.

The second quarter was more of the same pain for the Raiders as the young and talented Cougars hassled every possession while still continuing to shoot inside, outside and midrange as well as bonus freethrows after the Raiders got in foul trouble early and were into the double bonus territory a couple of minutes before the end of the first half.  At the long break the Cougars had extended their lead to 11 at 35-24.

There was some concern among the Cougar fans at the half time break as it was common knowledge that while the Cougars are known for their great third quarters, so too were the Central Catholic Raiders who fought their way into the title game by overcoming a 4 point defecit against Ripon Christian in the first half, with a 38-25 second half off the back of a 22 point third quarter.

The Raiders certainly played a great quarter of basketball in the third quarter but the tenacious Cougars were more than worthy of the challenge. Justice Shelton-Mosely had two early steals which made the Raiders guards nervous leading to a couple of turnovers as they were so keen to rid themselves of the ball before he stole it again. Tyler Jennings then had an important steal at a crucial stage when the Raiders were attempting a run and D.J. Wilson grabbed important defensive rebounds that shut down the Raiders second chance attempts. Marcelus Perry got in on the action with an inspirational over and under shot off the glass.The play of the game however was in the last seconds of the third quarter when the Raiders had clawed back within 8 of the Cougars. A Raider miss went out of bounds, D.J.Wilson inbounded to Marcelus Perry who spied Tanner Nissen perched on the perimeter, a quick pass and a split second release and as the ball was mid flight the buzzer sounded to end the quarter.... and then the ball found the bottom of the basket for 3. The Cougars had managed to maintain their 11 point lead throughout the battle for the third quarter.

The fourth quarter was more of the same, the Raiders made a valiant attempt at a come back and drew within 6 but Matt Donlan pulled down 2 important rebounds. A Marcelus Perry dish to Nifae Lealao for 2 was followed by a stupendous and-one dunk by Donlan on two Raider defenders to put the final result beyond question. When Donlan capped his game with a 3 to finish with 22 points, the leading scorer in the game, it was all over. The final score line was 64-50.  The Cougars were jubilant in their victory and celebrated their win with their coaches and the loyal Cougar fans and Pep band who had some out in force to support them.

Matt Donlan was awarded the CIF Sportsmanship Award for his game.

The Cougars will know on Sunday afternoon their seeding and schedule for the Northern California playoffs but those in the know expect a #3 seed, a first round bye and a home final on Saturday March 10th.

Donlan 22, Lealao 15, Wilson 11, Perry 4, Belton 4, Jennings 3, Nissen 3, Ware 2