The boys basketball team is on a historic postseason run, competing in the Division II State Championship game on Saturday, March 26. This is after they won 61-54 win against J.W. North on Saturday, March 19 at the CSULB Pyramid. The teams had met at the CIF Championship two weeks before, where the Huskies won 61-58. However, the most recent game’s outcome was different and the Jackrabbits were victorious 61-54.
The start of the game was very low-scoring, with both defenses playing strong and shots getting unfriendly bounces. After the first quarter, the Huskies led 9-8. Both teams were evenly matched in the first 16 minutes and neither team had big leads. The Huskies, however, gained momentum going into halftime, aided by a buzzer beating three-pointer, which gave J.W. North a 26-23 lead.
Poly slowed down the Huskies in the second half and did not allow their opponent to score consecutive buckets. The Jackrabbits got more rebounds in the second half and maintained a sizable lead through the final minutes. Throughout the game, Poly was efficient in perimeter shooting, getting three-point shots from senior shooting guard Harrison Bonner, senior small forward Garrison Gowens, and sophomore point guard Daryl Polk. Senior small forward Drew Buggs was the star of the game, getting 20 points, six rebounds, three assists, and a steal for his team.
“I just want to do whatever I can so my team can win,” said Buggs.
On Tuesday, March 15, the boys also defeated the Los Alamitos Griffins in the state semifinal game. In front of energetic student sections from both sides, the teams were closely matched throughout the game. Going into halftime, the Jackrabbits trailed 26-28.
The Griffins appeared strong coming out of the locker room, extending their lead to 33-26. However, the Griffins lost momentum, to the triumphant Jackrabbits.
Poly’s lock-down defense allowed the Jackrabbits to go on 20-0 run in the third and fourth quarters, catching Los Al by surprise. The Jackrabbits allowed 8 points in the third quarter and a mere 3 points in the final quarter. Junior power forward Zafir Willams finished the night with 16 points and 16 rebounds, Buggs had 16 points, and Bonner had 12 points. Bonner’s underrated defensive skills and three-point shooting has helped the Jackrabbits in this postseason run.
While the Jackrabbits have won many CIF championships in recent years, the state title has eluded them time and time again. The last boys team to win state was back in 1984, over thirty years ago.
“It’s definitely a great feeling that we got the opportunity [to play at State]. It’s something we’ve all dreamed of,” said Buggs.
The boys will face the Junipero Serra Padres at the Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento on Saturday, March 26. The Padres have an overall record of 25-5, compared to the Jackrabbit’s 24-10. Win or lose, this is the last game of the season, and the final time the seniors will suit up as Jackrabbits.
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