No. 11-seeded Giants throttle Delta in NorCal Regional men's basketball playoffs, advance to second-round game at No. 6 Yuba
By Nick Giannandrea
COS ATHLETICS
College of the Sequoias men's basketball team features one of the state's stingiest defenses.
And the Giants got even stingier to open the California Community College Athletic Association playoffs.
Eleventh-seeded Sequoias throttled No. 22 San Joaquin Delta 77-44 in the first round of the Northern California Regionals on Feb. 25 at Porter Field House, allowing 18 points fewer than its season average of 62, which is tied for third-best among the state's 100 teams.
"I thought we came in and took care of business tonight," Giants coach Dallas Jensen said. "Defensively, we were really sharp. I thought we were the more physical team. We guarded well for 40 minutes."
Sequoias (23-7) has won eight straight heading into its second-round game against No. 6 Yuba (21-6), scheduled for 7 p.m. Feb. 28 in Marysville. The Bay Valley Conference champion 49ers had a first-round bye.
The Giants have been particularly good defensively during the winning streak, limiting their last eight opponents to 59.1 points per game.
"I am really proud of how this team played. Everyone did their job tonight," said sophomore Cameron Kelly (Atlanta), who delivered a team co-leading 14 points along with seven rebounds, two assists and a block. "Our defense is peaking. March is the time to peak, so it's getting to that time."
Sequoias seized control by limiting Delta (13-15) to 2 of 13 shooting over the final 7 minutes and 21 seconds of the first half, expanding a four-point edge (18-14) to a 15-point advantage (33-18).
The Mustangs shot 24.1 percent (7 of 29) from the field in the first half, and it didn't get much better in the second, when they shot 25.7 percent (9 of 35). Delta, which entered with a 39.4 shooting percent from the field, was held 30.8 points below its season scoring average of 74.8 points per game.
Giants' guards Kareem Barnett (Miami), Jayden Abuyen (Centennial High-Bakersfield) and Kion Hayes (Savannah, Ga.) were especially tough on the Mustangs' perimeter shooters, limiting them to 10.7 percent shooting on 3-pointers (3 of 28).
"Our coach puts a huge emphasis on defense," said Abuyen, who had 13 points, three rebounds, two steals and an assist. "We drill it in practice every single day. Defense is our bread and butter, and I feel that's what's really going to eventually get us to a state championship."
Abuyden scored five points as Sequoias opened the second half on a 12-4 run to push its lead to 24 points (46-22) with 16:25 remaining in the game.
A 3-pointer by Hayes sent the Giants' lead beyond 30 points (68-36) for the first time with 5:13 left, and their lead reached its zenith of 39 points (75-36) on a Hayes basket off an assist from Mason Dorsey (Los Angeles) with 3:26 to go.
"We're playing our best basketball of the year," Abuyen said. "I think everything is starting to fall into place. Everyone is starting to hit their peak. We're learning to play with each other as well as we've done all year."
Eight of the nine players who suited up for Sequoias scored points, with QShawn On'gele (Portland, Ore.) contributing a team co-leading 14 points along with eight rebounds and a block.
Dorsey was two points shy of achieving a triple-double for the second straight game, finishing with eight points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, three steals and two blocks.
The Giants also received eight points, four rebounds, two assists and a steal from Barnett; eight points, seven rebounds, an assist, a steal and a block from Hayes; eight points, eight rebounds and a block from Zaquien Whitehead (Columbus, Ga.); and four points and six rebounds from Javon Bragg (Corcoran High).
Sequoias now turns its attention to Yuba, which lost two of its final four regular season games. If the Giants beat the 49ers, they would face either No. 3 West Valley (22-6) or No. 19 San Mateo (18-11) on March 7 for a berth in the state's Elite Eight championship tournament, which will be held March 13-15 at Porter Field House. Sequoias reached the Elite Eight in five of the past six championship seasons.
The Giants, who have won 14 of their past 15 games, are seeking the third state title in program history to add championships won in 1982 and 1953.
"They are playing really well together. Celebrating one another. Playing really hard. Sharing the basketball," Jensen said. "And they are all of the same mindset that they just want to win. We know we have a tough test going up to Marysville to play Yuba on Saturday, but we're super excited for the opportunity."
