FALCONS FLY INTO REGIONAL FINAL

It was exactly what you would expect from a Southern California Regional semifinal game between the No. 3-seeded Bakersfield Golden Valley and No. 2seeded Scripps Ranch — high energy, clutch shots and an enthusiastic crowd.

Finally, in a back-andforth contest that saw eight lead changes and five ties in the first half, Scripps Ranch took control and walked away with a 70-57 win in a Division IV contest.

“It has been a magical year for these kids,” said Scripps Ranch coach Brock Flint.

“We’re moving the ball, making tough stops.

“It’s unbelievable we’re at home. The stars had to align for that to happen.”

The Falcons (24-11) will be at home Tuesday for the regional championship against either No. 16-seeded Hollywood Valley Torah, which upset top-seeded Westchester, or No. 5-seeded Long Beach Millikan.

Since the school opened in 1993, Scripps Ranch has one San Diego Section boys basketball championship. That came in 2007 when the Falcons beat Serra 69-57 for the Division III title.

No Scripps Ranch boys basketball team has advanced this far.

“At the last minute we switched from a Wilson ball to a Spaulding,” said Caden Flint, who led Scripps Ranch with 20 points, including six 3-pointers. “It took a little bit to get used to it.

“Golden Valley was really good. They had a lot of length, big, very athletic.

“This feels so good. We were 4-16 last season. People were saying how bad we were, kids were transferring out.”

Lamont Wilkerson backed Flint with 15 points

Scripps Ranch 70, Golden Valley 57 and Jared Balaoing added 10.

The Falcons hit 14 3pointers.

“We watched a lot of film of Golden Valley (23-6).” Wilkerson said. “They tried to speed us up and we got caught in their trap.

“Coach told us to settle down and play our game. We did that, and it turned the game around.”

Because of COVID-19 issues, injuries and the late arrival of 6-foot-8 Jax Leatherwood from football, Flint said the Falcons have only had their full team available for three games.

Saturday was no different as key reserve Dean Paley sat out with a concussion after taking a charge in a quarterfinal win over Los Angeles Center for Enrichment Studies.

Leatherwood had seven points, four rebounds, blocked a shot and was a presence inside.

Jermaine Dabbs led Golden Valley with 19 points while Kemonte Jackson added 14.

Big man Markell Brooks scored 10 and was bothered by a leg injury.

Flint came into the game averaging 1.5 points, 8.9 rebounds with 81 3-pointers and 72 blocked shots. He also carries a 3.6 GPA.

“Caden kind of came into his own two years ago,” Brock Flint said. “He was also OK, but the next step didn’t come until recently.”

Because of the late development and an injury over the summer that prevented him from playing club ball, his college options are limited.

In a Division III semifinal, Mt. Carmel lost to Calabasas Viewpoint 90-56.