Giants reach state men's basketball Final Four; face San Francisco at 7 p.m. March 12 in Lemoore

By Nick Giannandrea

COS ATHLETICS

LEMOORE -- Hours after being named the All-State/Northern California Co-Player of the Year in men's basketball, College of the Sequoias' Ryan Johnson showed exactly why he was bestowed the honor.

Johnson scored 24 of his game-leading 30 points in the second half to help the NorCal No. 3-seeded Giants overcome a sluggish start en route to a 69-62 victory over Southern California No. 2 San Bernardino Valley on March 11 in the quarterfinals of the California Community College Athletic Association State Championships.

And the 6-foot-5 sophomore out of Hanford High added eight rebounds, an assist, a block and a steal while playing through a calf injury that was heavily wrapped, and days after getting over bouts with the flu and strep throat that kept Johnson from practicing most of the week.

"What's amazing to me is he did it on one leg tonight. We thought all week that he was dealing with a calf contusion. Then he dealt with the flu. Then he got strep throat," Sequoias coach Dallas Jensen said. "And for him to come out after one day of reps on Saturday and pretty much essentially be playing on one leg. To go for I think 30 points and eight rebounds, very efficient numbers. I mean that guy, he's just special. He's in such a good head space and so dialed in on his goals and dreams. The way he gutted it out tonight to help his teammates and get this thing done was amazing."

Sequoias (27-4) advances to face NorCal top-seeded and state No. 1-ranked City College of San Francisco (30-1) in a state semifinal scheduled for 7 p.m. March 12 from West Hills-Lemoore College's Golden Eagle Arena.

Tickets -- priced at $12 for general admission, $8 for seniors over 60, $8 for high school and college students with a valid school ID, and $8 for children 11 and younger -- will be available at the door, and for purchase in advance at https://cccaa.hometownticketing.com/embed/all.

All fans will be required by the CCCAA to show proof of vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test within 72 hours of the event, and to wear a mask while inside the arena.

Johnson scored six points -- missing all three of his 3-point attempts -- as the Giants took a 25-21 lead into halftime.

But on the first possession of the second half, Johnson received a bounce pass from Scott Ator (Murphy, Texas) with 6 seconds left on the shot clock and nearly had the ball swiped away by San Bernardino Valley's Anthony Bell before taking a step back and elevating for a 3-pointer.

Johnson would make all five of his 3-point attempts -- and 6 of 7 shots from the field overall -- in the second half.

"Before that first one went down, I thought they were going to steal it," said Johnson, who also was named the Central Valley Conference MVP. "I heard the shot clock was going down so I threw it up, and it went in. So I kept shooting and it kept going in."

A 3-pointer by Johnson off an assist from Seth Dawson (Antioch) with 10 minutes and 17 seconds remaining in the game gave Sequoias a 10-point lead at 49-39.

San Bernardino Valley (25-6), however, refused to fold, going on a 10-3 run that made it a four-point game (59-55) with 3:24 left following a layup by Mubarak Michael.

But Sequoias' Terri Miller (Clovis North) drew a shooting four on the next possession, leading to an outburst and technical foul assessed to Wolverines coach Quincy Brewer.

Johnson made both of the technical free throws, and Miller made one of his two free throws to push the Giants back in front by seven at 62-55.

That was the start of a mini 7-0 run, capped by Johnson's layup, that allowed Sequoias to stretch its lead to 11 points (66-55) with 1:42 to play.

A Johnson free throw essentially put the game out of San Bernardino Valley's reach at 67-60 with 20 seconds left.

"It was a team effort for sure," Johnson said. "It took every single one of us to finish it through. I'm just glad we came out and won."

Jensen agreed.

"Yes, R.J. hit some big shots. But I told our guys in the locker room, every guy who had their number called tonight, whether it was in a bigger role or a limited capacity, I thought everybody's energy was fantastic," Jensen said. "I thought there was positive communication and positive energy the entire time, which we talk about all the time. And I thought guys played with great effort. Everybody maximized and played to the best of their ability in their respective minutes tonight. When you get to this level, it requires everyone to play at a high level, and I thought the boys did an extremely good job of that."

Sequoias received 12 points, eight rebounds, two assists and two steals from Conner Jackson (Dublin); and 10 points, two rebounds, three assists and a steal from Dawson while winning its 14th straight game and reaching the state Final Four.

"It's surreal," Jackson said. "We've worked since August to be in this position. It's a great feeling."

The Giants also received contributions from Ator with six points, nine rebounds, two assists and three blocks; Ryan Troutman (Kerman) with five points, three rebounds and three assists; Miller with three points, four rebounds, two assists and four blocks; Mohammed Adam (Monterey) with three points, three rebounds, a steal and an assist; Tiveon Stroud (Selma) with two rebounds; and All-State selection Bryce Fitzgerald (Las Vegas) with a rebound.

Sequoias now braces for a San Francisco team that has won 26 straight games during a 30-1 season. The Rams beat SoCal No. 4 MiraCosta 81-72 in the quarterfinals, rallying from a 41-36 halftime deficit.

The Giants lost at San Francisco 80-66 on Dec. 4 in a game they led 39-36 at halftime.

"They are by far the best program in the state of California right now. Justin Labagh is an absolutely incredible coach with a very talented group and quite frankly a very good coaching staff," Jensen said. "There is a reason they are No. 1 in the state and were really the preseason favorites to win it all. We did get a chance to play them at their place in December. We are familiar with who they are and what they are trying to do. But again, at the end of the day, and we've talked about this for over 30 games this year, we just worry about us. Control what you can control. Play physical. Play a Giant brand of basketball. And we'll see how it shakes out tomorrow."

Sequoias is seeking the program's third state men's basketball title, having won previously in 1982 and 1953.

The other men's semifinal pits SoCal No. 1 West Los Angeles (28-3) against NorCal No. 2 West Valley (27-3).

West L.A. defeated NorCal No. 4 Las Positas 77-64, while West Valley beat SoCal No. 3 Citrus 79-68 in the quarterfinals.

The state final is set for 3:30 p.m. March 13.

"I'm just really excited for my guys more than anything. It's something we've worked toward the entire year," Jensen said. "These guys have competed at a high level the entire year. Played against everybody across the state of California. I'm really pleased they get an opportunity to continue to play this season." 

Sequoias is the only community college in California to advance both its men's and women's basketball teams to the Final Four.

The Giants' NorCal No. 4 women (24-5) face NorCal No. 2 Sierra (26-3) at 3 p.m. NorCal No. 1 San Joaquin Delta (29-2) meets SoCal No. 2 Irvine Valley (26-2) at 1 p.m. in the other semifinal.

The women's final is scheduled for 1 p.m. March 13.

Sequoias' only state title in women's basketball came in 1987.