Giants split during Wyndham/Mannon Classic

An uncharacteristically cold shooting night - on its home court, no less - cost College of the Sequoias' men's basketball team during the finale of the Wyndham/Mannon Classic.

The state No. 9-ranked Giants shot 29 percent (18 of 62) from the field and 26.9 percent from 3-point range (7 of 26) during a 67-56 loss to unranked Cerritos on Dec. 21 at Porter Field House.

COS is shooting 42.2 percent from the field and 33.6 percent on 3-pointers for the season.

The Giants (10-3) opened a 19-16 lead with 10:52 to play in the first half on a Carlos Allen (Atlanta) layup off a Milton Burnett (Bullard High) assist.

But Cerritos (6-7) responded with 3-pointers from Cerroy Chenault and Jaishon Forte on consecutive possession to take a lead it would not relinquish.

The Falcons opened the second half on an 8-1 run to open a double digit lead, then saw their edge balloon to 19 points (50-40) on a Jahlen Jack jumper with 7:40 left.

COS got within nine points (59-50) on a pair of free throws from Ayo Aderoboye (Lagos) with 2:52 remaining and had a chance to get the lead to seven with 2:30 to play, but Allen was called for an offensive foul on a drive to the basket.

Jalen Washington sank two free throws for Cerritos to push the lead back to 11 (61-50) and the Giants didn't get closer than 10 points the rest of the way.

Ryan Johnson (Hanford) led COS with 14 points, six rebounds and three steals. Dewayne Holmes (Riverside) contributed 11 points, four rebounds and three assists, while Elihu Cobb (Santa Maria) added eight points and nine rebounds.

COS opened the two-day, four-team, cross-over tournament with a 65-54 win over No. 21 Ventura (8-6).

The Giants led 29-23 at halftime and were never in any serious jeopardy in the second half.

Savion Johnson (Hanford) had 18 points, four rebounds and four steals for COS, which also received 13 points, four rebounds and three assists from Burnett and 12 points and 12 rebounds from Ryan Johnson.

Central Valley Conference rival and No. 13-ranked Fresno City (10-2) beat Cerritos 78-69 on Dec. 20 and downed Ventura 83-74 on Dec. 21 while running its winning streak to nine games. 

The Giants close non-conference play at 5p.m. Dec. 30 at Monterey Peninsula (4-10).

COS opens CVC play at 7 p.m. Jan. 8 when it hosts West Hills-Coalinga at Porter Field House.

The Giants will host Fresno City at 5 p.m. Jan. 11.