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Size matters, it has been said. Exhibit A is the Priory boys basketball team, which boasts 6-foot-10 Emmanuel Ajanaku-Makun and 6-6 Ayo Aderoboye.
No. 3 Stevenson of Pebble Beach can attest to the height factor after Ajanaku-Makun and Aderoboye helped wreck the speedy Pirates, 65-59, in Wednesday’s Central Coast Section Division V semifinal at Santa Clara High.
The Panthers (21-5) next play No. 1 St. Francis-SCP of Watsonville (25-2) in Friday night’s title game at Notre Dame de Namur University at 7:45 p.m. Priory is seeking its third straight Division V crown.
Priory committed 20 turnovers in the first half, 29 for the game, but still managed to prevail over the Pirates (17-9), who committed 17 turnovers, 15 in the first half.
Bottom line, Stevenson had a devil of a time taking the ball inside against the likes of Ajanaku-Makun and Aderoboye, whose presence was felt — often.
Ajanaku-Makun had 15 rebounds, adding 14 points, three blocked shots, and a steal. Aderoboye scored 10 points, had five steals, three rebounds. and a blocked shot.
“Emmanuel played a very good game,” Priory coach David Moseley said. “He blocked shots and rebounded.”
“We moved the ball a lot,” Ajanaku-Makun said. “We used the post and when the guards got open, they made their shots.”
Priory led, 14-12, after one period. Aderoboye stole the inbound pass to begin the second period. and finished the sequence with a jam. On Stevenson’s next offensive sequence, the Panthers’ defense netted a five-second count violation on the Pirates. And on it went.
Priory received yeoman work from Lucas Harris, who had 12 points and nine boards off the bench. Aderoboye passed to Matt Boyle, who stroked a 3-pointer and the Panthers were ahead 23-15. Boyle had 17 points, including a slam early in the fourth period.
Moments before Boyle’s dunk, his own blocked shot came on the heels of a block by Aderoboye. A three-ball by Grant Phelps gave the Panthers a 58-46 bulge.
Ajanaku-Makun scored in the lane, the Panthers up 64-55 with 1:10 to play. Phelps made one of two free throws with 18.2 seconds remaining, giving the Panthers an 8-point lead.
The Pirates had 18 points from Parker Olin, who had a 10-point second period.
“We executed our game plan well,” Moseley said. “We wanted to take away Olin’s right-hand drive. Every time we didn’t do that, he scored. They got back in it with the three-ball.”
Moseley praised guard Nico Arslaner for his perimeter defense.
“We wore them down with our pressure,” Moseley said. “That is our strength.”
As for a three-peat possibility for the Panthers, Moseley isn’t counting his chickens, just yet.
“We just want to get in the game,” Moseley said. “Now that we’re in the game, we’re looking to three-peat.”
Priory beat Stevenson in last year’s final and Eastside College Prep two years ago.
Priory 57, Alma Heights 13
Priory returns to the Girls’ Division V championship game after its second straight lopsided victory over a Private Schools Athletic League team, this time over Alma Heights.
Priory lost to Eastside College Prep in last year’s final but Eastside earned a berth in the Open Division this year.
The Panthers (17-9) meet Saint Francis SCP in Friday’s 6 p.m. title game at Notre Dame de Namur.
Priory has prepared for this moment by playing one of the toughest schedules possible.
The Panthers are 12-9 against teams that reached their respective sectional playoffs and 9 of those games were played against teams that were in the Open Division.
Priory plays in the same league with Pinewood and Eastside College Prep and added Saint Ignatius, Saint Francis and Sacred Heart Cathedral to its list. Brea-Olinda and Narbonne were also on the schedule.
The Panthers beat the Lancers and Narbonne and played SI tough.
Gabby Ruiz scored 14 points to pace the win over the Eagles. Ila Lane had a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Why, oh why, do the girls have such a small article and a photo that is equally small? Look at the size of their win! It is enormous! The young woman in the photo came back from a sprained ankle to have a double double game. Take a moment and look deep into your soul!
Why should boys’ games be considered more worthy of attention, coverage, support, and accolades than girls’ games? Is this 2017 or 1917?
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