Pacific Grove celebrating their 54-41 CCS Div IV Semi-Final victory over Monte Vista Christian
– Jon Charron –
MTAL MVP Brad Sendell scored 11 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter to help Pacific Grove defeat Monte Vista Christian 54-41 in the CCS Division IV Semi-Finals. [03-01-16]
After needing overtime to move past North Monterey County in the quarterfinals, the Breakers nearly let this one get away from them. Pacific Grove led 14-5 after the first quarter, but the Mustangs rallied back in the second quarter. Outscoring the Breakers 18-8, to take a 23-22 lead into halftime.
“We didn’t play very well defensively,” Brad Sendell said about his teams’ second quarter performance. “At the half, coach got onto us about our defense, and we came out and locked down better.”
Uche Ebo steals a pass for the Breakers
In the third quarter, the Breakers were better, only giving up 13 points for the quarter. With the Breakers down 36-29 and less than two minutes
remaining in the third quarter, the defense clamped down and didn’t allow any more points. On the offensive side, Jake Merenda and Gaurav Gurung each hit a three pointer to help close out the quarter on a 6-0 run and close the gap back to one point.
Brad Sendell hits the 3-pointer for the Breakers in the 4th qtr
To start the fourth, Pacific Grove starting playing like the team that started the game with a 9-0 lead. Sendell gave the Breakers the lead with a basket to start the quarter.
Gaurav Gurung drains the 3-pointer for the Breakers in the 3rd qt
Sendell and Zack Miller then both made two free throws a piece to put them up 41-36. Sendell then helped the Breakers extend the lead to eight, when he made his lone three pointer of the game.
Brad Sendell dribbles the ball in the 4th qtr for the Breakers
The Mustangs would only score 6 points in the quarter, as the Breakers held on for the 54-41 victory.
“We guarded better, we just weren’t ourselves for a while defensively,” Pacific Grove head coach Brad Powers said about the difference in his team in the fourth quarter. “We just started getting some stops and rebounded well.”
Up next for the number 2 seed Breakers is a match with the number 5 seed Padres in the CCS Division IV Finals.
“It’ll be fun,” Powers said about playing their rival. “They are playing really well right now, and credit to their coaching staff and their team. They know us and we know them; not a lot of surprises there.”
After falling short in the Semis last season, Sendell said “it’s awesome,” to get that victory. Especially since they will be facing Carmel. “We couldn’t want anything more than that,” Sendell added.
| Box Score |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Final |
| Monte Vista Christian |
5 |
18 |
13 |
6 |
41 |
| Pacific Grove |
14 |
8 |
13 |
19 |
54 |
Stats –
| Player |
FG M-A |
FT M-A |
3PT M-A |
REB |
AST |
ST |
BLK |
PTS |
| Brad Sendell |
5-13 |
8-8 |
1-4 |
7 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
21 |
| Apollo Marquez |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Uche Ebo |
0-2 |
4-4 |
0 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
| Jake Merenda |
0 |
0 |
3-6 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
9 |
| Gaurav Gurung |
0 |
0 |
2-2 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
| Zack Miller |
1-5 |
4-9 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
6 |
| Sam Fenstermaker |
0-1 |
1-2 |
0 |
3 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
| Chip Wagner |
2-4 |
1-2 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
5 |
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