Fairmont Prep boys’ basketball finishes strong to top Pacifica Christian O.C.

The Pacifica Christian Orange County boys’ basketball team has developed quite a rivalry with Fairmont Prep.

The Tritons lost four times to the Huskies last year, including twice in the San Joaquin League in overtime, as well in the CIF Southern Section Division 4AA title game and the CIF State Southern California Regional Division III quarterfinals.

Friday night presented another opportunity for Pacifica Christian. After a three-point victory over the Huskies earlier in league, another win would all but clinch the league title.

Fairmont Prep had other ideas.

The Huskies finished strong to earn an 88-76 victory at Vanguard University.

Houston Mallette of Pacifica Christian is tripped to the court by Fairmont Prep’s Collins Acheampong (0).

(Don Leach / Staff Photographer)

Senior point guard Atin Wright had 36 points for Fairmont Prep (17-8, 5-1 in league), which moved a half-game ahead of Pacifica Christian (17-7, 5-0).

Pacifica Christian has three league games next week, starting with a home game against Capistrano Valley Christian on Monday. Should the Tritons win out, they would likely split the league title with the Huskies.

Senior forward Judah Brown led Pacifica Christian with 28 points, and senior guard Charles Erving had 18 points. Senior forward Josh Sims scored 14 points before fouling out in the fourth quarter.

The Tritons, ranked No. 5 in Division 2A, battled from behind most of the game. They trailed by as many as 14 points in the first half. They didn’t take their first lead until midway through the third quarter, when Brown made two free throws to give the hosts a 49-47 lead.

Pacifica Christian’s Judah Brown (22) stops for a short pull-up jumper (34) next to Fairmont Prep’s Pape Cisse.

(Don Leach / Staff Photographer)

The Huskies led just 75-74 with 1:39 left in the fourth quarter, after Pacifica Christian’s Tanner Deal made a pair of free throws. But Fairmont Prep junior Cory Johnson made a corner three-pointer to give the visitors a four-point advantage.

Wright, who is headed with Cal State Northridge, also made all eight of his free throws in the fourth quarter to help Fairmont Prep, ranked No. 11 in Division 2AA, ice the win.

Junior point guard Houston Mallette also fouled out in the fourth quarter for Pacifica Christian. The tempo in the second half slowed to a snail’s pace at times, with Pacifica Christian and Fairmont Prep being called for 10 and seven fouls, respectively, in the third quarter alone.

Six-foot-eight junior Pape Cisse had 18 points for Fairmont Prep, and Johnson added 16.

Fairmont Prep defender Lamine Niang (34) tries to stop Pacifica Christian’s Charles Irving (4) as he scores on an up-and-under layup.

(Don Leach/Daily Pilot)

San Joaquin League

Fairmont Prep 88, Pacifica Christian Orange County 76

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Fairmont Prep 21 – 21 – 15 – 31 — 88

Pacifica Christian 12 – 23 – 23 – 18 — 76

FP – Wright 36, Cisse 18, Johnson 16, Jemerson 7, Nguesso 4, Niang 4, Kantamaneni 3.

3-pt. goals – Johnson 3, Cisse 3, Wright 2, Jemerson 2, Kantamaneni 1.

Fouled out – Niang.

Technicals – None.

PC – Brown 28, Erving 18, Sims 14, Mallette 7, Bahadoor 5, Deal 4.

3-pt. goals – Brown 1, Mallette 1, Erving 1, Bahadoor 1.

Fouled out – Sims, Mallette.

Technicals – Mallette.

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