MidValleySports.Com

Brian Wright finished with six points (Photo by Anne Cypress)

(Anaheim) – Mayfair’s magical run through the CIF Division 2A playoffs came to an end at Anaheim Arena after losing to “Cinderella” Gahr team, 63-48.

Both teams needed to knock off higher seeded teams to advance to finals with the Gladiators being the seventh seed in the Division.

A slow start to the fourth quarter became the undoing for Mayfair which didn’t register a point for 3:38 as they watched Gahr go on a 7-0 run to take control of the game.

Brian Nebo’s slam dunk with 1:51 remaining in the game sealed the first Championship for the Gladiators. Nebo finished the game with nine points.

The Monsoons continued to battle midway through the final quarter when Corey Foster hit a three-pointer after Brian Nebo was called for a player control foul.

Foster than got Mayfair within two-points with 3:11 remaining in the game with a drive down the lane for a layup.

Gahr closed out the game on a 16-3 run after clamping down on defense and not allowing a field goal for the last 3:01.

Early on the Monsoons were in control of the game getting out to an 11-5 lead on Myles Smith three-pointer with 3:37 remaining in the game. That would be the largest lead Mayfair enjoyed the remainder of the game.

The Gladiators ended the first quarter on a 10-0 run to take a 15-11.

The second quarter saw the Monsoons chasing to regain any momentum it lost after going cold from the floor in the first quarter.

Problem with Mayfair chasing Gahr’s lead came in the form of timely shots made anytime the Monsoons began to start a run as Javonte Sales made key free-throws down the stretch of the second quarter.

Dion Wright eventually got Mayfair on even footing with a three-pointer with 3:21 remaining in the third quarter.

Marland Browning’s floating jumper with 2:08 remaining gave the Monsoons its last lead of the game at 40-38 that was short lived when Sales made a field goal.

Amos Alumno looks to drive to basket (Photo by Anne Cypress)