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    David Abisogun powers Fairmont Prep boys basketball past Riverside Poly in Division 2AA semifinals
    • February 22, 2025

    ANAHEIM — Fairmont Prep’s boys basketball team earned some redemption and its place in the CIF-SS Division 2A championship game by following “Baby Giannis” one more time Friday.

    The Huskies united with forward David Abisogun to defeat Riverside Poly 53-45 in the Division 2AA semifinals at Fairmont Prep.

    In advancing to the finals against San Joaquin League rival Pacifica Christian next week, Fairmont Prep (21-9) dispatched an opponent that beat the Huskies 61-47 in the first round of the Division 1 playoffs last season.

    In that loss, the 6-foot-9 Abisogun — who is nicknamed “Baby Giannis” after NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo — suffered a knee injury.

    The junior responded this time with a game-high 16 points, six rebounds, three blocked shot and three assists despite missing time with foul trouble and a brief cramp. He had a rebound-dunk early in the second quarter.

    “It’s a big thing that we’re in the finals,” said Abisogun, who helped Fairmont Prep reach the finals for the first time since it beat Pacifica Christian for the Division 4AA title in 2019.

    “Losing to Riverside Poly last year, we weren’t fully healthy, so we lost to them by a couple of points. But we were up before I went down and got injured. If not, it would have been an easy game for us. But we got the win tonight.”

    Abisogun scored nine points in the first quarter to spark a strong start for the Huskies. But as the game progressed and the score tightened, he contributed with his passing, defense and rebounding.

    A prime example of Abisogun’s impact was his offensive board early in the fourth quarter. With Fairmont Prep leading 39-38, he soared for an offensive rebound and quickly fired the ball back out to the perimeter. Guard Oliver Jones caught the ball and passed across the court to guard Marcus Fernandez for  3-pointer.

    “It’s a team game,” Abisogun said. “if you want to be a great player, you got to do everything. You got to play with your teammates. Share the ball.”

    “He’s a great teammate,” Fairmont Prep coach Joedy Gardner said of Abisogun, who has offers from UC Santa Barbara and UC Irvine.

    Riverside Poly (22-10) hung tough in the fourth period and trailed 44-40 when Fairmont Prep guard Leroy Davis sank a 3-pointer with 1:32 left.

    After the Huskies’ lead grew to 49-40, the Bears answered with a 3-pointer by Chris Holland and an offensive putback by Carter Monks but were forced to foul to stop the clock down the stretch.

    Fernandez and Davis finished with 13 and 11 points, respectively, and a combined five 3-pointers. Jones chipped in nine points, including five at the end of the half as the Huskies led 26-23. Center Bith Jack grabbed nine rebounds.

    Holland, a senior, paced Riverside Poly with 15 points and a block against a breakaway layup in the third. Jrob Croy added 11 points.

    “It was an extremely physical game,” said Riverside Poly coach Travis Showalter, whose team will compete in the SoCal regional. “I was proud of how our team competed.”

    Pacifica Christian defeated Centennial 84-80 in double overtime.

    Fairmont Prep and Pacifica Christian split two league games.

    ​ Orange County Register 

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