STOCKTON — Sierra High saw opportunity slip its grasp against Brookside Christian at the annual Edison McDonald's Classic on Thursday.
The Timberwolves (5-1) fell in overtime, 55-50.
"We tried to keep (the Knights) off balanced with our defense," Sierra coach Scott Thomason said. "We turned the ball over and missed some easy shots (in the overtime)."
He's hoping to see his team bounce back from its first loss of the season at 3:30 p.m. today against Consumnes Oaks of Elk Grove back at Edison.
The Timberwolves led by as many as seven points in the second half against Brookside Christian (5-0) of the Central California Athletic Alliance.
They scrapped on both sides of the court, battling for points and rebounds while relying on their defense in a game that featured eight ties and 12 lead changes.
Baskets by Ryan Borgeson, Kendrick Currey and Carl Rice along with free throws by John Elijah and Eduardo Jasso provided Sierra with a 34-27 advantage in the third.
But towards the end of the period, the Knights went on a 10-2 run. Freshman forward Jahmere Tripp drilled a pair of 3s, and Lawrence Hillery scored on a drive during that rally.
Sierra twice went ahead in the fourth thanks to a reverse layup by Rice and a drive by Jaedon Malone, who had nine rebounds in the game. He also had a put-back off a missed trey with 34 seconds left in overtime, tying the game at 48-48.
Elijah's game-tying put back in the extra session was the only basket by the Timberwolves in the extra session.
Brookside Christian went up for good when Geronimo Rubio-De La Rubio coming away from a scramble by scoring on a short jumper. He along with Kenja Barnes secured the win by hitting free throws in the final seconds.
Rubio-De La Rosa, in addition, led all scores with 19 points. George Carter and Tripp had 13 and 10, respectively.
Rice led Sierra with 12. Currey had eight while Jasso and Elijah both hit for seven.
Weston Ranch 65, Consumnes Oaks 49
Weston Ranch will play Brookside Christian in today's semifinals. Tipoff is scheduled at 6:30 p.m. at the Edison gym.
The Cougars (4-1) rolled past Consumnes Oaks on Thursday, incorporating their press defense and taking advantage of the turnover opportunities.
"Our pressure bothered them a lot," said senior guard Devin Small, who paced the Weston Ranch attack with 15 points.
Indicative of that pace was the Cougars bolting out to a 20-4 lead.
"We played with much better energy and effort," said Weston Ranch coach Chris Teevan, who was bothered the previous day from his team's sluggish start.
The Cougars defense under the direction of assistant coach Eddie Menzel limited the Lancers from scoring from the field until nearly two minutes before the intermission.
"We listened and carried out the game plan," Small said.
Gavin Wilburn was a presence at the post, rebounding and coming up with steals while providing the outlet pass to trigger the attack.
He hit Mi'Son Coilton, who once again wreaked havoc in the passing lanes, released for the quick layup. Right before the end of the first, Wilburn connected with Small following a steal.
Small, in turn, hit the buzzer-beating trey.
In the third, Weston Ranch continued its torrid pace, building up the lead, 46-22, on Wilburn's put-back dunk. He along with Coilton netted 12. Donjae' Lindsey chipped in with nine.
Consumnes Oaks (2-1) of the Delta League got 11 from Donte Irving.
