WORK PAYS OFF FOR HORNETS
The day after Lincoln High’s basketball team lost in the first round of the playoffs last year, the Hornets were on the school track by 9 a.m. to run, then walked inside the gym to practice.
“We knew what our goal was the next year,” said guard Jamier Sykes. “We had the same crew back. We wanted to win CIF.”
Barely a year later, that dedication paid off. The second-seeded Hornets came from behind in the fourth quarter Friday night to upset top-seeded Otay Ranch 59-54 at Mira Mesa High to win the Division II San Diego Section title.
Celebrating with his teammates at midcourt after the game, tears filled Sykes’ eyes.
“I was crying because I had so much joy in my heart,” he said. “All that hard work. All the stuff I have to hear from Coach Jeff (head coach Jeff Harper Harris).”
With 4:57 to play in the fourth quarter, it didn’t look like the Hornets would be doing any celebrating. Sykes was called for a blocking foul, then assessed a technical when he argued the call.
Otay Ranch hit three free throws, then a 3-pointer, a sixpoint swing that gave the Mustangs a 47-43 lead. But the Hornets (29-2) didn’t wilt. Just the opposite. Lincoln went on a 12-2 run to take control of the game.
The key was the Hornets’ defense, which forced six turnovers on Otay’s next eight possessions.
Sykes led Lincoln with 18 points. Kyelin King and Derrion Manson each scored 14. Eight of King’s points came in
Lincoln 59, Otay Ranch 54
the fourth quarter. He had a double-double with 10 boards.
But no one enjoyed the win more than Manson. Days after Lincoln’s season ended last year, he found his mother on the couch, unresponsive. She had died after battling diabetes. She was 49.
“She was just a great woman,” said Manson. “Always giving back to the community, feeding the homeless, making sure people had something to eat.”
Asked what he would say to his mother, he said, “I love you and everything’s for you.”
Elijah Newsome led Otay Ranch with 17 points. Keian Spandonis and AJ McIlwain scored 13.
Girls Torrey Pines 52, Oceanside 41:
No. 2-seeded Torrey Pines used a stifling defense to knock off Oceanside, marking the 11th time this season the Falcons have held the opposition to 41 points or less.
Zoe Lau led the Falcons with 15 points. Lily Olivia and Laura Rucks scored 13.
The win gave Torrey Pines its second section title and first since 1995. The Falcons figure to be good for some time with Rucks the only senior on the team.
Ninth-seeded Oceanside reached the finals by beating No. 1-seeded Olympian and fourth-seeded Francis Parker.
The Pirates’ Nevaeh Mageo led all players with 33 points. Both team advance to the Southern California regional playoffs.