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Tigers Division 2 title hopes must go through San Luis Obispo. LHS defeats Hanford West in overtime
The Lemoore Tigers got to the semi-finals via a scary overtime win over Hanford West in Friday night’s quarter-final matchup with Hanford West. The Tigers finally outlasted the Huskies 62-56, outscoring Hanford West 10-4 in the extra period.
“The key was being patient and doing a better job defensively on the rebounds,” said Tiger Coach Joel Sligh. “We (needed) to limit their second-chance points.”
San Luis Obispo, which plays in the coast’s Mountain League, finished fourth in its conference with a 7-5 mark. Arroyo Grande won its division with a 19-2 mark. The SLO Tigers were 20-10 overall under its coach, Jeff Brandow. San Luis Obispo beat Fresno High Friday night 61-49 for the right to play Lemoore.
The Huskies started Friday night’s game in Lemoore strong, scoring 23 points in the opening quarter to take a 13-point lead. It was 35-27 at the half. The Tigers stormed back to knot the game at 42-42 at the end of three. The two teams tied at the end of regulation, but the Tigers outscored the Huskies in the final stanza to win.
Lemoore’s Jaden Jones led the Tigers with 14 points, including seven points in the second half. His teammate, Jayden Bray, scored nine points, seven of them coming in the crucial fourth quarter and overtime. Chris Taylor finished with 12 points.
