Damien vs Crean Lutheran - CIF State D1 Regional Semi-finals - Condensed Game 4K

Описание: CIF State D1 Regional Semi-final

Damien and Crean Lutheran had the Athletic Center packed with students and fans in what was the best high school environment all season. Two great teams looking for a ticket to the Regional Finals and a shot at being the best D1 school in the South.

Crean Lutheran set out in a zone defense that made the Damien offense work for good shots. Damien had open looks but the ball wasn’t dropping early on for the Spartans. Crean Lutheran was getting good penetration into the paint by Caden Jones who scored 6 of his 8 points in the first quarter. Chad Mpoyi also had it working helping the Saints grab the lead 16-9 after 1 complete.

The shooting woes continued for Damien as they shot 7-25 from the field in the first half and 3-14 from downtown manufacturing only 19 points. Hunter Caplan on the other hand was feeling it from beyond the arc going 3-5 and scoring 11 first half points. The Saints had the host Damien Spartans down double digits at halftime 32-19.

The first score of the 2nd half was another Caplan three-pointer to give the Saints their largest lead of the game at 16. That’s when Damien turned on the defensive pressure forcing 7 turnovers in the 3rd quarter and turning them into points on the offensive end. Elijah Smith led the Damien comeback scoring 7 points himself but disturbing the ball to the Spartan shooters Eli Garner and Zaire Rasshan. Damien trailing 37-28 went on a 10-2 run that ignited the crowd and flipped the momentum of the ballgame. At the end of the 3rd quarter Damien had cut the 13 point halftime deficit to 2 points 40-38.

An offensive rebound and putback by Eli Garner tied the game at 40 apiece and an Elijah Smith jumpshot gave the Spartans their first lead since the first quarter 42-40. Damien's defense was relentless only allowing 4 points to Crean Lutheran in the 4th quarter, 12 points in the whole second half. Sammy Franco hit a corner three to put Damien up five 45-40. With Damien holding onto a 3 point lead 45-42, with under 2 minutes to play, the Spartans came up with 3 crucial offensive rebounds to take time off the clock.

Crean Lutheran was forced to foul sending Smith to the line where he went 4-4 from the foul line in the final minute. The comeback was complete as Damien ran off with the win 49-44 and advance to the Regional Finals on the road against St John Bosco Tuesday night. Damien was 10-11 from the free-throw line, but only 7-35 from three. The Spartans forced 9 2nd half turnovers while the Spartans didn't turn the ball over in the 2nd half at all.

Damien (30-7) Will Play at #4 St John Bosco Tuesday for Regional Championship
Elijah Smith 18 pts, 6-6 FT
Eli Garner 13 pts
Zaire Rasshan 11 pts, 3 threes

Crean Lutheran (28-8) Ends Season CIF-Southern Section Champions
Hunter Caplan 16 pts, 4 threes
Chad Mpoyi 12 pts

Game footage was filmed and editing by James Morrison with Morrison DV. For content inquiries contact us at:

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00:00 - Title
00:06 - 1st Quarter
02:54 - 2nd Quarter
05:42 - 3rd Quarter
11:19 - 4th Quarter
19:23 - Post Game Interviews