Booker gives the Lions a lift
The start of the state basketball playoffs this week didn’t go smoothly for Fairfax High.
The Lions learned that standout forward Robert McRae had reinjured his surgically repaired hand in practice, leaving him unavailable for Wednesday’s Southern California Division I Regional opener against host Long Beach Poly.
Coach Steve Baik had a talk with McRae’s replacement, junior Shawn Booker, who at this time last season was playing for tiny Valley Glen Summit View.
“I told him, ‘Make one three each half. Make one layup each half. That’s all we need,’ ” Baik said. “But he did more.”
Booker made four three-point shots, including two late in the fourth quarter, to help the Lions pull out a 54-49 win over Poly and advance to a quarterfinal game Saturday at La Verne Damien.
“I knew I could step up for my cousin,” Booker, (16 points) said. “My teammates trusted me.”
Fairfax (26-5) had lost its last two games, close contests against Westchester and Narbonne, when the Lions failed to execute in the fourth quarter. This time, Booker delivered. He made a three with less than three minutes left to give Fairfax a 45-44 lead, and two free throws with 28.3 seconds left.
The Lions were able to overcome a huge size disadvantage. Poly (22-9) struggled at trying to get the ball inside to 6-foot-10 Myles Johnson and 6-6 Zafir Williams until the fourth quarter. Then the Jackrabbits started a high-low strategy that left the Lions helpless for a while. But Booker received support from Jamal Hartwell (16 points) and Ethan Anderson (11). And Kirk Smith’s rebounding and blocked shots provided another boost.
But Booker’s contributions were surprising, considering his huge step up in competition.
“It’s way different,” he said. “I love it.”
Said Baik: “He’s had a huge adjustment, and we’re reaping the benefits now.”
Williams finished with 17 points and 14 rebounds in his final game for Poly. He has signed with Loyola Marymount.
In a competitive opening game, San Diego Vista beat Santa Margarita, 97-94, in double overtime on a three-pointer at the buzzer by Isaiah Morris. Jordan Guest scored 27 points for the Eagles.
Oak Park defeated San Diego Foothills Christian, 66-65, in overtime. Freshman Clark Slajchert made the game-winning three and finished with 24 points.