Wildcats claw for spot in semifinals

BRAWLEY – The Brawley Union High School boys’ basketball team held off a physical University City Centurion team, 4640, in a CIF-San Diego Section Div. III quarterfinal playoff game at the Bob Farrell Sports Complex here Friday night.

The Imperial Valley League champion Wildcats followed the same scenario in the victory as they had in their opening-round win on Tuesday over Santana, 52-51.

“The games were carbon-copies,” said Brawley coach Jeff Deyo. “We got separation early and played good defense, then struggled offensively in the third and fourth quarters … and as it has been all year long, our defense saved our bacon.”

The Wildcats indeed dominated the first half scoring 17 unanswered points after the Centurions led 4-0 two minutes into the contest.

While the Wildcat’s defensive intensity remained high, holding the Centurions scoreless for over eight minutes across the first two quarters, Brawley’s offense sputtered scoring just six second-quarter points to lead 23-13 at half time.

“We need to work harder on protecting the ball,” said Brawley’s Jon Zarate.

The No. 15 Centurions, (11-18), who upset second-seeded Rancho Buena Vista on Tuesday, came storming back in the third quarter going on a 10-0 run as the Brawley offense slowed and trailed 30-26 at the end of the quarter.

In a pressure-packed fourth quarter, Brawley seniors Austin Brewer, Jose Cristnera and Zarate combined to convert eight of eleven free-throw attempts to secure the win.

Cristnera had an open path to the basket with 15 seconds to go in the game but instead pulled back and ultimately got fouled and made a free throw to help ice the win.

“I thought I could dribble out the clock,” Cristnera said. “I should have shot it but I didn’t mind the pressure of going to the free throw line ...it’s moments like that I live for.”

“We depend on six seniors and they held it together,” Deyo said. “John and Jose were starters on our CIF championship team last year and most of our seniors have been on varsity for three years.”

Brawley (19-9, 4-2 IVL) will now travel to face No. 6 Carlsbad in the Div. III semifinals set for 7 p.m. on Wednesday night.