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    Boys basketball semifinals: Pacifica Christian wins 2OT battle with Centennial; Irvine falls in OT
    • February 22, 2025

    EJ Spillman had a triple-double for Pacifica Christian in its double-overtime win over Centennial of Corona, 84-80, in the CIF-SS Division 2AA semifinals Friday at Centennial High.

    Pacifica Christian (23-7) will play San Joaquin League rival Fairmont Prep in the championship game next week. The Tritons beat Fairmont Prep 67-55 on Jan. 28 but lost the first matchup on Jan. 18.

    Spillman had 33 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in Friday’s win. The senior scored seven of the team’s nine points in the second overtime and made 5 of 6 free throws in the period.

    Pacifica Christian had to overcome a slow start against Centennial (17-17). The Tritons trailed by 15 points early in the second quarter, but had pulled within 36-34 at halftime.

    The Tritons trailed 61-58 with 1:10 remaining in regulation when Hudson Reynolds made a putback layup to cut the deficit to one.

    Centennial answered with two free throws on the other end. Michael Noel made a game-tying 3-pointer with 8.3 seconds left, which ultimately sent the game to overtime.

    Pacifica Christian led in the first overtime but missed four consecutive free throws that could have put the game out of reach for Centennial. CJ Richardson of Centennial made a game-tying 3-pointer with 2.4 seconds left in the first overtime.

    Spillman scored seven consecutive points for Pacifica Christian in the second overtime and Joaquin Rigdon made two free throws at the end of the game.

    Reynolds had a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Noel had 11 points and Logan Stewart added eight points with 10 rebounds.

    In Division 2A

    St. Bonaventure 66, Irvine 60, OT: Irvine’s historic 22-game winning streak came to an end Friday in an overtime loss to St. Bonaventure at Ventura High.

    The Vaqueros had not lost since Dec. 6, when they fell to Corona del Mar by one point in the Diablo Inferno tournament.

    Irvine (29-3) led 31-26 at halftime but trailed by two entering the fourth quarter. The Vaqueros trailed by six points midway through the fourth quarter but rallied back to tie the game with 1:20 remaining in regulation.

    Ali Dal made two free throws to give Irvine a 58-56 lead with 26.2 seconds left in regulation. St. Bonaventure scored on the other end and Irvine turned the ball over with 4.6 seconds left to send the game into overtime tied at 58.

    St. Bonaventure played tenacious defense in overtime to hold Irvine to just two points.

    “Our team battled when we were down six in the fourth,” Irvine coach Harry Meussner said. “Credit to St. Bonaventure for making a few more plays than us. I’m proud of our team for a historic season and run.”

    Dal led Irvine with 17 points. Cooper Stearns had 16 points and Holden Stearns added 15.

    Irvine won the Pacific Coast League season which was the team’s first league championship since 1991. The Vaqueros qualified for the CIF State playoffs.

    ​ Orange County Register 

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