Pasadena Bulldogs Defense Takes Over in 47-44 Win at Corona del Mar

If Pasadena wanted to get a postseason test, they got it Tuesday night in the CIF-SS Division 1-A quarterfinal match up at Corona del Mar.

It might have been a sign early that things weren’t going well when the Bulldogs bus broke down on the way to Newport Beach.

After nearly a 25-minute wait, the Pasadena Pep Squad bus picked the players up and rode the rest of the way to the gym.

But they were nearly 30 minutes later than they wanted to be, and their shoot around (warm up) was rushed.

Pasadena scored just 10 points in the first quarter, but late in period, the Bulldogs went on an 18-0 run into the second quarter, and a 10-point lead into the break.

Corona del Mar (22-8), though, outscored Pasadena, 25-18 in the second half, and even had a 43-42 lead with about two minutes to play.

But as they’ve done all year, and currently 17 consecutive games, Pasadena found a way to win.

This time, Bryce Hamilton hit a shot late, and then the Bulldogs made a stop on defense.

Hamilton then got fouled and made 1 of his 2 free-throw attempts.

Pasadena would eventually hold off the Sea Kings, 47-44, to advance to the Division 1-A semifinals.

The Bulldogs will host Peninsula (20-9) Friday at 7 p.m. unless CIF makes Pasadena play at a gym that will hold more people.

Peninsula (20-9) beat Mayfair, 70-61, on Tuesday, in another quarterfinal match up.

The two sites Pasadena coach Tony Brooks said he’d likely use are Marshall High School or Pasadena City College, but their comfort at home is something Brooks and his players hope they’re allowed to play in.

Back to Tuesday’s win, Hamilton finished with 20 points on 8 of 18 shooting, and the junior grabbed 9 rebounds.

Hamilton, though, was 4 of 11 from the free-throw line.

The true sign of a great team like Pasadena, is to find a way to win when you shoot well under your season totals, and yet persevere on the road in the playoffs.

Laz Morris scored just 3 points, but his 8 rebounds and timely blocked shots were immeasurable in the win.

“The win was very big because you can’t always win by 15 or 20 points,” Brooks said. “We missed shots and free-throws we’re used to making, so what do you do? We held that offense to 44 points, and I am very proud our defense saved us.”

Darius Brown II had 10 points and 3 assists, which is well beneath his season average, but the star junior did enough on both ends of the court to survive on the road.

“Our offense struggled a little bit and we need to clean up our plays,” Brown II said. “We did a good job defensively. but we can always improve. I think we need to limit second-chance shots.”

In a game that is decided by 3 points, every point matters.

That includes Darius Mason’s and Kalongi West’s 4 points, and 3 points each from Justin Taylor and Jesse Watkins.

“Laz Morris played his heart out,” Brooks said. “He had three or four blocks. His rebounds were not just where he was by himself. He was battling and elevating above the rim and he was one of the reasons why our defense was so good tonight. He closed out their best player. In this kind of game, those little things are so big.”

Pasadena finished 2 of 10 from beyond the 3-point line and were 11 of 19 on free-throw attempts.

Said Brooks: “Justin Taylor, our only senior that comes off the bench. He steadies us. He gives us more fluidity to our offense, and it really becomes a team effort.”

Box Score:
Pasadena: 10-29-12-6-(47)
CDM: 10-19-14-11-(44)