ONE LEFT FROM THE SOUTH

The No. 1 (south) FC Hornets are headed to the Final Four of the 3C2A State Semi-Final game after pushing past No. 4 (north) Cabrillo College 78-67.

The North swept through the South in the tourney's first three games on Friday. No. 3 (north) Yuba defeated No. 2 (south) San Diego City, No. 1 (north) West Valley beat No. 4 (south) Cerro Coso 79-64, and No. 2 (north) defeated No. 3 (south) West LA 73-71. Fullerton is now the only team from the south that is still alive and kicking.

The Hornets opened the first half with a 13-4 run, but the Seahawks worked their way back in the game tying it up 15-15. It was Amare Ames' three-pointer that knotted it up at the ten-minute mark. JQ Strong quickly answered back for FC powering through for a layup. Cabrillo did not fade away and gave Fullerton a torrid fight for the rest of the half. In fact, the Seahawks punched through with a 30-29 lead by halftime. 

Fullerton came back refreshed in the second half taking off on a 15-5 run that was capped off Jeremiah Davis' slashing layin. Cabrillo made a run of its own pulling within three (51-49) on a jumper by Darius Best at 6:51. The Hornets didn't blink and pulled ahead 69-59 from a three-pointer by RJ Banks with three minutes left in regulation. Banks widened the gap even more a minute later (71-59) after dropping another trey. The Seahawks tried to run a full court press to get back into the game, however the Hornets remained strong locking down the victory.

FC's Christian Watson led all scorers with 20 points, with 9 rebounds, 3 blocks. Jeremiah Davis was on task with 18 points with 7 rebounds, while JQ Strong was solid with 15 points and 7 rebounds. RJ Banks came up with a couple daggers scoring 12 points, had 4 rebounds, and 3 assists. 

Up Next: The No. 1 South Hornets (27-4) will take on No. 2 South College of the Sequoias for the 3C2A Final Four (semi-final) at Mt. San Antonio College on Saturday, March 16th at 7:00 pm. For all of your state tournament info (scores & updates) go to 3C2A Tournament Central. Can't make it in person? Watch the games live here.

*Photo by Jim McCormack