Nipomo edges Templeton, Arroyo Grande moves on in high school basketball playoffs
In a second-round playoff game that featured two local teams that split their two regular season contests, the third and highest-pressure game didn’t disappoint.
Nipomo, the No. 4-seed in the Division 4 CIF Central Section playoffs, topped cross-county rival Templeton 65-56 at home, led by the offensive outpouring from star guard Lucca Hart, who scored 35 points. Joseph Canales added 10 for the Titans.
After a hot shooting start in front of Nipomo’s home crowd, which saw Hart drain a 3-pointer from well beyond the arc resembling a Stephen Curry bomb in the first half, the Titans built a big lead and were up 47-28 in the third.
But Templeton came storming back in the fourth quarter to pull the game within five points with 1:16 left behind a trap defense, while finding their range on shooting after a cold start in the first half.
“I never thought it was over,” said Nipomo Coach Stan Ikeda. “That’s me as a coach. This is the third time we’ve played them, and we know they can shoot.”
Ikeda said that his Titans’ team is coming together and working well to find the open man, when Hart is pressured.
“We’ve had teams play box-and-one against Lucca, and other guys have had to step up,” Ikeda said. “That has really helped us.”
Hart said Nipomo turned around its play after the team’s earlier setback against Templeton.
“I felt good because I felt like when we lost to them, it was probably our worst game all season,” Hart said. “I missed seven free throws. We were confident, but this feels good to get a chance to win one more game and then advance to the championship.”
Templeton senior guard Nicky Frangie, who stands 5-foot-6, led the Eagles with 29 points, and Trevon Carter Givens added 12 points and was a force on defense with several blocks and altered shots, including five in the first half.
“All good things must come to an end so I guess now is our ending,” Frangie said. “My game today wasn’t my best. I started off a little shaky, then toward the end I picked it up a little bit. We just didn’t bring it the first half, and I feel like if we brought up the first half, it could carry over to the second half.”
Frangie said he’ll cherish the memories of high school basketball, saying that it has been a thrill.
“It has been amazing,” he said. “We couldn’t have had it better.”
Nipomo and Templeton faced off in the Division 4 CIF-Central Section second-round game after the Titans (20-11) won their first round playoff matchup against Fresno Christian 82-72, and the Eagles (18-12) dominated their first-round matchup Wednesday versus Chavez, winning 85-43.
Nipomo finished second in the Ocean League with an 11-3 record, and Templeton was tied for third at 10-4.
During the season, the teams split their two games, with Templeton winning 58-53 on Jan. 11 and Nipomo winning 74-60 on Feb. 1.
Nipomo hits the road to face No. 1 Kerman on Wednesday at 6 p.m.
Other SLO County games
Arroyo Grande 68, Liberty 65
Arroyo Grande (20-9) won a close won at home in Division 2 action.
The Eagles were led by Nick Simmons and Aiden Peralta, who each had 13 points.
Adam Silmon had 11 points and Noah Morris added 9.
Arroyo Grande advances to the semifinals and will face No. 3 Dinuba (25-4) at home on Wednesday at 6 p.m.
Clovis West 59, Mission Prep 42
The Royals (21-9) lost on the road to the No. 1 seed in the Division 1 bracket.
Mission Prep was led by J.J. Howard, who tallied 22 points (Howard has more than 1,400 points in his Royals’ career), and Luke Jacobson added 10 points.
“I’m proud of the boys and way they competed,” Head Coach Terrance Harris said. “They had tremendous pressure D and that got to us as the game wore on.”
Mission Prep now moves on to the state tournament, but doesn’t yet know who they will face.
“We’re incredibly honored to play in the state tourney and represent the school and league,” Harris said.
“I love coaching this group. I love the talent and grit and they have good camaraderie,” he said. “They enjoy each other and that makes it fun. … we’ll get back to working and find ways to improve for the state playoff.”
Correction: Trevon Carter Givens’ name was misspelled in an earlier version of this story.
This story was originally published February 17, 2023 at 10:41 PM.
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