Senior Joey Fuerst scores two of his game-high 33 points during Saturday’s heartbreaking overtime loss to Elsinore in the second round of the CIF 4AA playoffs.
The Titans were led by senior Joey Fuerst, who ended the game with 33 points and 10 rebounds. Classmate Sean O’Brien had 17 points, three rebounds and three assists. Junior Mason Lo added 10 points and three rebounds. Kyle Yu scored six points before leaving the game after a hard but uncalled foul, and Michael Azinge scored six points and contributed a game-high 10 rebounds to the effort, but it wasn’t quite enough.
Elsinore senior Royce Recatto banked in a three-pointer at the end of regulation to force the game to overtime, where Simon Creel added a late three to steal the win.
“I am so proud of these kids and proud of their season,” said SMHS head coach Mihail Papadopulos. “This is a group of very fine young men.”
Fuerst led the state of California in scoring for most of the month of May and will end up as one of the top scorers with an average of 24.2 points per game.
After finishing third in the Rio Hondo League with a 7-3 record, the Titans closed the season with a 9-9 overall record.
SAN MARINO 61,
ARTESIA 53
The Titans opened the playoffs against a tough Lakewood Artesia squad as well as a ton of history. Playing in the shadows of NBA star James Harden and the O’Bannon brothers of UCLA fame, the Titans shocked the hosts, who were seeded 23 spots ahead of San Marino in the bracket.
“What a gritty performance by a team that wasn’t going to be denied,” said Papadopulos. “Tonight our boys brought a mixture of energy and sheer determination that was just incredible to experience, especially coming down here to Lakewood to take on a high-profile program.”
Sean O’Brien led the Titans with 23 points as the Pioneers double-teamed Joey Fuerst all over the court, holding the senior to 13 points. Junior Michael Azinge battled the much taller opponents and managed to grab a dozen rebounds while scoring eight points.
However, it just might have been the unlikely duo of forwards William Keefer, a senior, and junior Duin Kim who tipped the scales in the Titans’ favor. Keefer drained two three-point baskets and Kim added nine points and five rebounds as the Titans pulled the upset in front of … well, in front of nobody. Artesia chose not to allow spectators into the gymnasium.
O’Brien hit two early three-pointers that allowed San Marino to grab the momentum and it never let go.
By the end of the third quarter, Artesia had cut the Titans’ lead to six points with the intention of continuing to pound the ball inside to take advantage of their size.
“Our guys weren’t deterred,” said Papadopulos. “They knew it was going to be tough sledding, that it wasn’t going to be perfect, but collectively, they fought to defend the post and ultimately wore them down. It was an incredible win. Tonight was a super special night and we are so glad to experience that feeling with this group of players. Everyone was locked in, from the guys on the bench, to the coaches and managers to the players on the court.”
