Fullerton finds its offense late, pulls away from West Valley to move into state semifinals
LEMOORE - On a day when fans poured into the gym at West Hills-Lemoore College to see one of the state's leading offensive units, wouldn't you know it that defense would steal the show.
Eventually, Fullerton showcased its offensive potential, earning a 71-40 win over West Valley in a quarterfinal game at the 2023 CCCAA State Championship tournament. Fullerton, the state's top-ranked team and the south's #1 seed, came into the tournament with the 5th highest scoring offense at 87.8 points per game. But they were also playing one of the state's best defenses in West Valley.
Fullerton had scored over 100 points this season seven times. And, West Valley had allowed an opponent more than 80 points just twice this season, the last time coming in early December.
"I think we have the jitters and our nerves had to settle down," Perry Webster, Fullerton head coach, said. "It took us a while to go through (those emotions) to settle down."
Although, there wasn't an offensive explosion, fans were treated to a completive game led by defensive stands and hard charges. Eventually, defense would give away to thunderous dunks by Fullerton, highlight the Hornets' offensive ability. Unfortunately, West Valley couldn't match Fullerton's offensive improvement.
The 40 points scored by West Valley's was its smallest output since scoring 53 points in a 53-46 win over Skyline on December 31. The 71 points by Fullerton was its lowest output since scoring 64 against Chaffey on December 10. In that game, Fullerton also only mustered 26 first-half points. The 16 points by West Valley proved to be the lowest point total the Hornets allowed all season.
"As a team, we played defensive that was old school, or Fullerton College basketball," Webster said. "Eventually, we should what we are capable of on both ends of the floor."
Fullerton defense is ranked 20th in the state.
Fullerton offensive struggles in the first half were evident, shooting 35 percent from the floor (9 of 26) and 20 percent from the three-point line (2 of 10. The Hornets, winners of 22 straight, had nearly as many turnovers (8) to field goals. In Fullerton's defense, the Hornets were squaring off against the state's best defensive unit in West Valley. The Vikings allowed just 61 points a contest this season. Offensively, West Valley ranked 22nd in the state. And like Fullerton, West Valley also struggled offensively, shooting 32 percent from the floor (9 of 28) and 17 percent from the three-point line (1 of 6) as Fullerton took a 26-19 lead.
Trailing 26-19 at halftime West Valley managed to get within four points at 34-30 with 14:41 remaining on a Malik Patton layup. Unfortunately, that is when Fullerton's offensive unit began to find its game. Over the course of nearly 11 minutes Fullerton went on a 29-7 run, opening a 63-37 lead with 4:05 remaining. West Valley went scoreless for 6:37 in the second half, using free throws by Ignacio Bettinelli with 45 remaining in the game to snap the dry spell.
Fullerton saw 34-percent increase shooting percentage in the second half, finishing at 68 percent on 17 pf 25 in the final half. Fullerton's Sean Newman and Shaquil Bender each scored 14 points. West Valley's Elijah Mahi led all scorers with 17 points. For the game, West Valley was 16 of 55, 29 percent from the floor and 3 of 15 from the three-point line.
Fullerton advances to the semifinals. The Hornets will meet East Los Angeles (27-3) at time to be determined after the conclusion of today's play.
