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Knights win fourth straight title in businesslike fashion
Foothills Christian can be excused for not celebrating all that much after winning their fourth straight Division V section title. The 1-seed Knights simply feel their 79-57 win over 2-seed Maranatha Christian on Friday at the University of San Diego was merely a step towards their goal of a state title.
“We’re happy to win four in a row, but we’re not satisfied right now,” said Foothills Christian guard Troy Leaf. “We want to keep going and win a state championship this year.”
Tied at nine in the first quarter, Foothills Christian (31-4) closed the quarter on a 9-0 run to take control of the game. The Knights opened up a 13-point lead by halftime.
“We just wanted to come out and play as hard as we possibly could and execute defensively,” Leaf said. “We played as a team tonight.”
After halftime, Foothills Christian kept their foot on the gas. Midway through the third quarter, Knights guard Kalob Hatcher hit back-to-back three pointers to extend Foothills Christian's lead over the Eagles to 21.
“Being here a few times before gave us the experience to know that it’s going to be up and down in a CIF game,” Leaf said. “You just have to keep putting it on them and putting it on them and I think we did a good job tonight.”
Foothills Christian led by as much a 26 in the fourth quarter on their way to the victory. The Knights’ 22-point win was by far the most decisive of their four titles.
“To win four in a row is just crazy. I never expected to win four in a row coming into high school,” Leaf said. “I’m just so excited for my teammates and myself. We worked so hard and I’m just glad we got it.”
In the win, center Jvonte Brooks led Foothills Christian with 25 points, and section career scoring leader Leaf finished with 24. The Knights also got eight points and big minutes from freshman forward Jamal Aytes, who was ineligible earlier in the season.
“Ever since he has come back, I don’t think we’ve lost,” Leaf said. “We’re a very tough team when we have two big guys that they have to go through. It enables me and Kalob to play more like guards and do what we do.”
For Maranatha Christian (22-9), center Chen Cai scored a game-high 27 points. Guard David Porter also scored in double figures, finishing with 12.
Foothills Christian should be the No. 1 seed in Division V when the state playoff brackets come out on Sunday. After falling short each of the last three seasons, Leaf believes this is the year the Knights will bring a state title back to San Diego.
“I think we have all the pieces this year. If everyone plays as hard as they did tonight and as well defensively, I don’t think there’s anyone that can beat us,” Leaf said. “We’re ready to come to practice on Monday and go to work to win a state championship.”
Foothills Christian – 79 (18-16-22-23)
Brooks 25, Leaf 24, Mosser 9, Hatcher 8, Aytes 8 (starters) LaBahn 3, Romeri 2
Maranatha Christian –57 (9-12-16-20)
Cai 27, Porter 12, Knaphus 9, Kerr 7, Westbrook 2 (starters)
Foothills Christian center Jvonte Brooks and Maranatha Christian center Chen Cai jockey for position on an inbounds pass
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WevElSUwDCM
Knights win fourth straight title in businesslike fashion
Foothills Christian can be excused for not celebrating all that much after winning their fourth straight Division V section title. The 1-seed Knights simply feel their 79-57 win over 2-seed Maranatha Christian on Friday at the University of San Diego was merely a step towards their goal of a state title.
“We’re happy to win four in a row, but we’re not satisfied right now,” said Foothills Christian guard Troy Leaf. “We want to keep going and win a state championship this year.”
Tied at nine in the first quarter, Foothills Christian (31-4) closed the quarter on a 9-0 run to take control of the game. The Knights opened up a 13-point lead by halftime.
“We just wanted to come out and play as hard as we possibly could and execute defensively,” Leaf said. “We played as a team tonight.”
After halftime, Foothills Christian kept their foot on the gas. Midway through the third quarter, Knights guard Kalob Hatcher hit back-to-back three pointers to extend Foothills Christian's lead over the Eagles to 21.
“Being here a few times before gave us the experience to know that it’s going to be up and down in a CIF game,” Leaf said. “You just have to keep putting it on them and putting it on them and I think we did a good job tonight.”
Foothills Christian led by as much a 26 in the fourth quarter on their way to the victory. The Knights’ 22-point win was by far the most decisive of their four titles.
“To win four in a row is just crazy. I never expected to win four in a row coming into high school,” Leaf said. “I’m just so excited for my teammates and myself. We worked so hard and I’m just glad we got it.”
In the win, center Jvonte Brooks led Foothills Christian with 25 points, and section career scoring leader Leaf finished with 24. The Knights also got eight points and big minutes from freshman forward Jamal Aytes, who was ineligible earlier in the season.
“Ever since he has come back, I don’t think we’ve lost,” Leaf said. “We’re a very tough team when we have two big guys that they have to go through. It enables me and Kalob to play more like guards and do what we do.”
For Maranatha Christian (22-9), center Chen Cai scored a game-high 27 points. Guard David Porter also scored in double figures, finishing with 12.
Foothills Christian should be the No. 1 seed in Division V when the state playoff brackets come out on Sunday. After falling short each of the last three seasons, Leaf believes this is the year the Knights will bring a state title back to San Diego.
“I think we have all the pieces this year. If everyone plays as hard as they did tonight and as well defensively, I don’t think there’s anyone that can beat us,” Leaf said. “We’re ready to come to practice on Monday and go to work to win a state championship.”
Foothills Christian – 79 (18-16-22-23)
Brooks 25, Leaf 24, Mosser 9, Hatcher 8, Aytes 8 (starters) LaBahn 3, Romeri 2
Maranatha Christian –57 (9-12-16-20)
Cai 27, Porter 12, Knaphus 9, Kerr 7, Westbrook 2 (starters)
Foothills Christian center Jvonte Brooks and Maranatha Christian center Chen Cai jockey for position on an inbounds pass