Centennial routs St. Augustine to reach title game

The San Diego St. Augustine boys basketball team had few answers for Jared McCain in the first half.

McCain schooled defenders left and right and scored 17 points during the first 12 minutes of the game to help Centennial grab a double-digit lead. But McCain picked up his third foul and went to the bench with four minutes remaining in the half.

“That’s his third!” St. Augustine fans exclaimed, sensing an opportunity for their Saints to get back in the game.

Mike Price did not allow that to happen. Centennial outscored St. Augustine 14-6 with McCain out of the game, and Price scored 11 of his game-high 24 points during that stretch. McCain finished with 23 points, and Eric Freeney added 20 points as the Huskies cruised to an 89-67 victory in a CIF State Open Division regional semifinal game Saturday.

Centennial, the defending Open Division state champion, will host Harvard-Westlake for the regional title Tuesday.

St. Augustine’s tallest starter is 6-foot-5, and McCain and his teammates took advantage of that lack of a rim-protector by driving to the bucket for layups. Centennial (30-3) put together a 13-1 run in the opening quarter to take a 24-14 advantage. McCain scored 10 points in the first quarter and added seven more in the second before picking up that third foul.

Price took the reins of the offense and sank four straight shots, including a 3-pointer, and added two free throws to close the half.

“We have grinded all week getting ready for this game, and it just came down to staying disciplined for my team,” Price said. “Honestly, this is everyone’s time to step up. So when Jared is out, we all have to be ready.”

Centennial has played five games during the playoffs, and Price became the team’s fifth different leading scorer. Price’s outburst late in the second period helped the Huskies extend their lead from 11 points to 19 by halftime.

“I figured if we’re up 7 to 10 points at the half, that would be a big win for us,” Huskies coach Josh Giles said. “So to extend that lead with Jared on the bench was huge ... I know Mike was not very happy with how he played versus St. John Bosco (in the CIF Southern finals). He was motivated tonight and found that groove once he hit a couple shots.”

Centennial also had a 45-31 edge in rebounding. Freeny led the way and got a double-double with 13 rebounds, and Devin Williams stuffed the stat sheet Saturday with eight points, 12 rebounds and six blocks. Aaron McBride, whose breakaway dunk won the section championship game a week ago, made all five shots and finished with 14 points and eight boards.

“Jared gets so much attention, and rightfully so, but we’re tough to beat when everyone else is a being a threat,” Giles said.

Centennial opened the second half with an 11-3 run and made 27 of 38 shots (71%) through three quarters of play.

Jurian Dixon had 23 points and five rebounds to lead St. Augustine (28-5), the San Diego Section’s Open Division champion.

Centennial has won 52 consecutive games against in-state opponents. Harvard-Westlake has had success against the Huskies in recent seasons and is the last California program to beat Centennial — a 70-65 victory on May 25, 2021.

“It is going to take a total team effort to win,” Giles said. “We can’t waste possession or make dumb mistakes.”