News Summary
Pacifica Christian Orange County’s annual “Bring the Rain” basketball games showcased thrilling competition as the Tritons defeated Edison 59-56 in a close season opener. The event, known for fans showering the court with toilet paper after the first three-pointer, saw senior guard EJ Spillman leading the Tritons with 17 points. Despite challenges with fouls late in the game, Pacifica held their lead, and the girls’ team also secured a victory against Lake Elsinore. The Tritons look forward to building on this promising start.
Orange County – Pacifica Christian Orange County’s annual “Bring the Rain” basketball games took place Friday night at Vanguard University, featuring thrilling competition and fan engagement that has become a hallmark of the Tritons basketball program. In this year’s season opener, the Tritons triumphed over Edison with a narrow final score of 59-56, marking a successful start to their season.
The “Bring the Rain” event has turned into a cherished tradition for the Tritons. It encourages fans to throw whole rolls of toilet paper onto the court once the team achieves its first three-pointer. This year, senior guard EJ Spillman set the excitement in motion by scoring the first three-pointer less than a minute into the game, prompting enthusiastic fans to shower the court with toilet paper.
In a game that showcased the competitive spirit of both teams, Spillman emerged as a leading scorer for Pacifica Christian, contributing 17 points. Alongside him, Logan Stewart scored 12 points, while Hudson Reynolds added 11 points in a strong second-half performance. Solomon Huang and Michael Noel helped round out the Tritons’ scoring with nine and seven points, respectively. For Edison, junior guard Derick Johnson put forth a strong effort, leading all players with 23 points.
Pacifica entered halftime behind, with Edison leading the score at 29-27. However, the second half saw a pivotal shift in momentum as the Tritons tightened their press defense, catching Edison off guard. They executed a critical 9-0 run during the third quarter, comprised of a three-pointer and three consecutive layups resulting from multiple steals. Spillman noted that the pressing strategy was effective, particularly since Edison had only seven players, which contributed to their fatigue as the game progressed.
Late in the game, Pacifica faced significant challenges as two starters, Stewart and Noel, fouled out with four minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. This situation allowed Edison to capitalize and close the gap. With just 44 seconds left, a three-pointer from Jackson Oei brought the score to 58-56. Despite the mounting pressure, Pacifica managed to hold onto their lead, and Huang secured the game by splitting two free throws in the final moments, ensuring a three-point victory.
The evening also featured a girls’ game, which saw Pacifica Christian face off against Lake Elsinore. Junior guard Vivian Villagrana led her team with 22 points, helping secure a convincing 57-31 victory, improving the girls’ record to 2-0 for the season.
The score breakdown for the boys’ game showed Edison scoring 17 in the first quarter, 12 in the second, 5 in the third, and 22 in the fourth for a total of 56 points. Pacifica Christian scored 12, 15, 20, and 12 in the respective quarters, totaling 59 points.
As the Tritons reflect on their opening game success, they look ahead to continuing their momentum throughout the season. With the enthusiasm generated from the “Bring the Rain” event, both the players and fans are energized for what lies ahead.
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Additional Resources
- Los Angeles Times: Pacifica Christian Boys Basketball Denied in Overtime
- Orange County Register: Pacifica Christian Boys Basketball Defeats Newport Harbor
- OC Sports Zone: CIF Boys Basketball Playoff Highlights
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Basketball
- Google Search: Pacifica Christian Orange County basketball
Author: STAFF HERE HUNTINGTON BEACH
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