Giants prepare for Wyndham/Mannon Classic after placing third at Modesto Tournament

By Nick Giannandrea

COS Athletics

College of the Sequoias' men's basketball team raced out to a 20-point first-half lead and never looked back en route to a 75-50 victory over Modesto in the third-place game at the Modesto Tournament on Dec. 14.

The state No. 9-ranked Giants, who led 43-23 at halftime, received 17 points and three assists from Milton Burnett (Bullard High) against the Pirates (4-8).

All-tournament selection Elihu Cobb (Santa Maria) contributed 12 points and seven rebounds for COS (9-2), while Carlos Allen (Atlanta) had 10 points and eight rebounds, and Tiyon Martin (Pasadena) and Amil Fields (Hayward) added 10 points apiece.

The Giants dropped from the championship bracket following a 90-89 overtime loss to unranked Mendocino in the semifinals of the eight-team tournament Dec. 13.

COS led 34-33 at halftime, but the Eagles (8-3) outscored the Giants 44-43 in the second half and 13-12 in overtime.

Cobb had 15 points, 15 rebounds, four assists and three blocks, while Martin had 22 points, four rebounds and six assists to lead COS.

The Giants also received 21 points and nine rebounds from Fields, and 17 points, five rebounds, three assists and four steals from Allen.

Mendocino (8-3) went on to lose 109-106 in double overtime against No. 13 Fresno City (8-2) in the final of the 82nd annual tournament.

Behind 25 points and four rebounds from Burnett, COS opened the tournament with a 111-71 victory over Lassen.

Cobb delivered 10 points, seven rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks.

The Giants also received 12 points and five assists from Dewayne Holmes (Riverside); 17 points, six rebounds and four assists from Ayo Aderoboye (Lagos); 10 points, eight rebounds and six assists from Allen; and 16 points and eight rebounds from Fields.

COS returns to action Dec. 20-21 when its hosts the Wyndham/Mannon Classic at Porter Field House.

The four-team, crossover tournament also features Fresno City, No. 21 Ventura (8-4) and Cerritos (5-6).

The Giants will face Ventura at 7 p.m. Dec. 20, and Cerritos at 4 p.m. Dec. 21.

Fresno City plays Cerritos at 5 p.m. Dec. 20, and Ventura at 2 p.m. Dec. 21.

COS is set to open Central Valley Conference play at 7 p.m. Jan. 9 when it hosts West Hills-Coalinga.