WHO WANTS TO DANCE? FC TO ELITE EIGHT!

The No. 1 FC men's basketball squad advances to the 3C2A State Tournament after defeating No. 9 Mt. San Jacinto College 92-69 at home Saturday night.

Tonight's victory marks the 19th time in the program's history the Hornets for the Hornets to play in the State Tournament. This year's "big dance" will be hosted by near-by Mt. San Antonio College March 15th through 17th. The Elite Eight will be loaded with some of the best basketball talent in the country and promises to be an exciting tournament. Teams earning their way into the dance are: North - West Valley, Yuba, Cabrillo, and Sequoias - South - Fullerton, West LA, Cerro Coso and San Diego City. 

The Hornets came out firing in the first half with a 20-10 lead by the 14th minute. The Eagle swung the momentum back their way pulling within 5 points by just under the ten-minute mark at 28-23. The FC offense caught fire again going on a 28-9 run (56-32) with a minute left. By the time the two teams headed to their locker rooms for the break, Fullerton owned a 56-34 advantage.

The second half was all Hornets as the team blasted past Mt. San Jacinto handing them a 31-point deficit with just under seven minutes left in regulation. Down by their largest amount of the season, the Eagles did not have enough in the tank to recover, and Fullerton walked away with the win and a ticket to the big dance.

RJ Banks was the hot hand for Fullerton hitting 7 of 9 from downtown for a game-high 28 points. Jeremiah Davis had 18 points with 5 boards, while Christian Watson pumped in 10 points with 5 boards, and 4 assists. Amound Anderson II and Jaden Byers both scored 9 points.

Up Next: The No. 1 Hornets (26-4 overall) head up the 57 Freeway to Mt. San Antonio College where they will play in the 3C2A State Championship Tournament March 15-17. No. 1 (South) Fullerton will take on No. 4 (North) Cabrillo College on Friday, March 15 th at 7:00 pm.

*Photo by Jim McCormack