Tigers come from behind to edge high-flying Rangers in Event Center, improve to 5-3

Erick Perry in an earlier game versus Mt. Whitney. He had a pair of three pointers in the final minutes to lead Lemoore.
Erick Perry in an earlier game versus Mt. Whitney. He had a pair of three pointers in the final minutes to lead Lemoore.

In a mild upset, Lemoore's tenacious Tigers overcame a fourth quarter deficit to edge visiting Redwood Friday night in the Event Center 53-51. Senior C.J. Johnson put the finishing touches on the comeback with a key steal late in the game and two free throws to put Lemoore up 52-51 with just seconds to play. Chris Garcia iced the victory with a free throw to account for the final score.

Erick Perry had a pair of three pointers in the final minutes to keep the Tigers close. Johnson scored to cut the gap to 51-48 with a little over a minute left and that was followed by Perry's three-pointer to tie the game at 51. Lemoore hits the road again for a February 12 game at Mt. Whitney. The Tigers knocked the Rangers down a notch in the standings and improved Lemoore's West Yosemite League mark to 5-3. Redwood fell to 6-2, just a game behind league leading Hanford.

The Tigers have an overall record of 14-9.

Hanford West

Once again, Lemoore senior forward C.J. Johnson cemented his All-League credentials with a 26-point performance at Hanford West Thursday night as the Tigers beat the Huskies 53-42 to improve to 4-3 in the West Yosemite League and 13-9 overall.

MaxPreps WYL Standings

Johnson scored eight of Lemoore’s 17 first-quarter points as Lemoore took the early lead. Chris Garcia pumped in 10 points for Lemoore.

Lemoore, ahead by only three after three periods, got another nine points from Johnson in a pivotal fourth period as Lemoore broke open the game. Hanford West well to 2-20 overall and 1-6 in the league.

The Tigers will host Redwood High School in a Friday night (Feb. 7) game.

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