Needing nearly every possible win left on their schedule for a playoff birth, the Bruins knew the massive implications of their matchup against Hawthorne on Tuesday. With Rolling Hills Preparatory separating themselves from the rest of the pack in the CIF-Southern Section once again, the other teams in the division have been left fighting for second place. This year, the standings have been so compact that one game can be crucial to your playoff hopes and potential postseason seeding. For the Bruins, this was that game. Tied with four other schools (including Hawthorne) for the the final two playoff spots entering the contest, it's hard to underestimate the meaning of this game to both teams.
It seemed the entire team was aware of the stakes, as the Bruins came out practically unconscious from behind the arc. Led by the sharpshooting of Stevan Markovic and Noah Saucedo, the Bruins shot 6-8 from outside in the opening period. Markovic and Saucedo, who combined for ten triples throughout contest, propelled the Bruins to a large lead in the first half. Markovic caught fire all at once, drilling three consecutive triples on three straight posessions, while Saucedo's shot making was more spaced out throughout the game. As always, despite his ailing hand, Nathan Muhumuza led the distribution on the offensive end, totaling twelve dimes, eight of which came in the first half. HMSA, who made their best effort to limit the deficit, simply couldn't finish at the iron, despite slicing their way through the Geffen Academy defense.
The second half was more of the same for Geffen Academy. Freshman June Jee knocked down two triples, and big man Jonathan Katz was excellent in the interior once again, rebounding the ball proficiently and spacing the floor on the offensive forty-seven. But it was Noah Saucedo who owned the final two quarters. The junior guard nailed three timely triples, all of which either continued an extended Geffen Academy run or halted a spurt by the Aviators. His final triple, a fading, drifting trey from the left baseline, was followed by Saucedo performing Steph Curry's patented "Night Night" celebration, and the Bruins turned the lights out on HMSA. A big-time win for the Bruins, they will look to continue their streak against New Roads on Thursday. Geffen Academy has easily defeated the Jaguars on many occasions in the past, and they will need this trend to continue if they want to make more headway in the standings.
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