PREP BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS

El Segundo 89, Nordhoff 75- Shawn Foster scored 37 points to lead the Eagles over the Rangers as El Segundo advanced to the second round of the CIF 2-AA playoffs. It was their first playoff appearance at home in four years and their first victory in the same time span.

El Segundo plays No. 1 seed Cabrillo Friday night at Lompoc.

“We’re happy to get the win at home,” said Eagles Coach Rick Sabosky. “We’re anxious to go up and play the No. 1 seed up there, we’re going to give them all we’ve got.”

Scott Panfil got the Eagles off to a quick start, scoring 15 points in the first quarter, including three 3-pointers. He finished with 25. Nordhoff guard Steve Blundell led his team with 21 points in his last high school performance.

The scoreboard operator and the scorekeepers had trouble calculating the correct time and score, but El Segundo left no doubt who the better team was. At one point during the second half, the clock gained time and Nordhoff’s score mysteriously lost two points.

Nordhoff outscored the Eagles 18-9 in the third quarter, closing the gap to 57-54 on a George Flannery free throw. But El Segundo’s pressure defense repulsed the charge in the fourth quarter, forcing three straight turnovers and outscoring the visitors 16-5 in the first four minutes of the fourth quarter.

Sabosky praised junior center Kenny Talanoa for his unselfish play. “He doesn’t get a lot of ink, but he gets a ton of rebounds and that’s why we need him.”