By Tim Peterson
(Azusa) – Arroyo started slow and finished fast and went on to beat Rosemead 50-38 Friday night to win the CIF Division 5A championship at Felix Event Center.
Arroyo and Rosemead, Mission Valley League rivals, both got off to a slow start. Both teams missed multiple shots and turned the ball over in a sluggish first quarter as the Knights led just 5-4 after the first quarter.
The second quarter wasn’t much better. Rhys Anderson, the Panthers leading scorer, had four points and Johnny Vargas hit a couple buckets for the Knights. But the offensive woes continued as Rosemead outscored Arroyo 8-6 in the quarter to lead 12-11 at the half.
Rosemead shot 18 percent from the field in the first half and Arroyo shot 17. At some point somebody had to start hitting some shots. It turned out it was in the third quarter.
Arroyo broke out for 21 points, 10 more than they scored in the first two quarters, as they outscored the Panthers 21-13 in the third.
Elijah Gonzalez scored six points in the third and Brendan Chung had five for Arroyo. The Knights also knocked down 10 of 11 free throws in the quarter to build a seven-point lead.
The hot shooting continued for Arroyo in the fourth quarter. Luis Ventura got involved inside with six points in the quarter and Gonzalez scored eight more as the Knights were able to salt the game away and win their first ever CIF title in basketball.
Anderson tried to keep the Panthers in the game especially in the third quarter as he scored all 13 of Rosemead’s points. He also nailed a three to open the fourth which meant he scored 16 consecutive points for Rosemead. It wasn’t enough on this night however as the Panthers were also playing in their first ever CIF championship basketball game.
Anderson led all scorers with 22 points but he was the only Rosemead player in double figures. Daniel Nguyen and Preston Huynh each had six. Anderson also had 14 rebounds.
For Arroyo Gonzalez led the way with 14 and Ventura had 12. Vargas and Kamren Dorantes each scored six. Dorantes also pulled down 10 rebounds and Ventura grabbed nine.
For Rosemead it was a tough loss but now the Panthers can look forward to a spot in the State playoffs. “We’re not done yet,” said Rosemead head coach Sonny Hayes.
Arroyo will also be in State but for now the Knights can celebrate their first CIF Basketball championship.
“They balled out. They started off a little rough but they stuck to the game plan” said Arroyo head coach Oscar Lopez of his team. “They never got over-pressued and they came through for us.”
A 5 6 21 18 50
R 4 8 13 13 38
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@ Just the facts
Yes, kids should feel grateful to be apart of such a historical team, very first team to win CIF. Will forever be in the books. But, it is more than that. Some kids dream to have a chance to play the game they love in front of friends and families.
Let me guess, are you one of Lopez’s football buddies or another one of his basketball entourages?
Lopez has heard from me before. Sadly things never change.
Congrats to the boys that made it happen. Long overdue for the school.
@ Pancho
Sounds like someone needs a face to face with Coach Lopez instead of hiding behind a keyboard
One good thing Your bench baby will get a CIF champion patch just everyopne else
Coach Lopez will always be nothing but a self-centered individual. Since 2017 he plays nobody but his starters all game, I feel bad for the parents that have to watch their son ride the bench and lose the love for the game. Classic Lopez. Hopefully is two new entourages from 2018 pick up the job and change Arroyo Basketball Favoritism. #BETTEROFFINFOOTBALL
From T. Peterson: This is a joke right? He just won a CIF Title!
Congrats Arroyo. I’m still waiting for that parent to come out that wanted Lopez to resign at the beginning of the season because Lopez wasn’t listening to him trying to call shots from the stands.
Take it for what it’s worth …..and a CIF championship isn’t what it used to be . Congratulations.
Incredibly proud and happy for all those kids and coaches! To have gone through what they have gone through and come out with a CIF title is absolutely amazing! No gym since LAST February, practicing outside all Summer and Fall, getting bused to practices every day, NO home games for the entire season, etc. Something finally clicked with them after losing the last league game to South-they looked like a totally different team once the playoffs began-especially after winning the First Round game on the road. So much more confident, able to battle back after slow starts-just a testament to their toughness and coaching! Great Job Knights!
Happy for the kids getting this title. Now let’s keep it going with a comparable football championship next season!
Waiting for all the . ” It really doesn’t count it’s Div 5A.”
Arroyo doesn’t care. They are one of only ten ( out of 500+ teams ) teams that can call themselves CIF champions
CIF CHAMP[ION ARROYO KNIGHTS. Let that sink in
12-11 at halftime of CIF Championship???
No further commentary needed
From T. Peterson; Right but Arroyo ended up with 50 points which is about average for a HS game. Both teams just got off to a rough start. Looked like nerves. But the second half was entertaining. Good win for Arroyo.