The past week has been a very busy one for the Cerritos basketball team, as well as a testy week.
It traveled to LA Trade Tech College and beating it in one of the best comeback performances of the year for college basketball.
Being down seven points with only 2.8 seconds to go in the second half, the Falcons definitely seemed to be out of the game but, they obviously thought otherwise.
The LA Trade Tech Beavers made it fairly easy for the comeback to occur with constant mistakes and careless turnovers.
With the ball in the Falcons’ possession, Cerritos guard Jeremy Pope attempted a three-point shot and was fouled in the process, sending him to the line for three free throws.
Pope made all three of the free throw attempts and on the very next play, guard Van Girard stole an inbound pass and got a layup.
There was only about one second left in the ball game when the Beavers tried a long “touchdown” pass and it sailed out of bounds which gave Cerritos the ball right under its basket.
The Falcons had time for one last play in regulation and executed their game plan to perfection; setting great screens which left forward Marcellus Jackson wide open for a layup at the buzzer.
In overtime, the Falcons went on to put the game away handily, scoring sixteen points as a team.
Cerritos carried its confidence and hot streak over to its home game Friday night against LA Southwest College.
Although the game was tight the majority of the first half, Cerritos went on a 22-8 run to take a nine-point lead at halftime.
Guard Gregory Preer had a sensational ball game with a double-double of 20 points and 17 rebounds.
He had a key statistic of 10 offensive rebounds in the game which added momentum in the Falcons’ favor.
Cerritos never let the Cougars back in the game, keeping its lead at double digits the majority of the second half.
Forward Marcellus Jackson also contributed in a major way for the Falcons with 16 points and 11 rebounds as well as a productive performance off the bench from Van Girard who tallied in 12 points, nine rebounds along with three steals and assist.
The Falcons are currently on a five-game winning streak and are tied for first place in conference play.
They will get some well needed rest getting the weekend off for games and will play again Wednesday at El Camino College.
The Warriors handed the Falcons a heartbreaking loss in their last meeting, which Coach Teplitzky and the Falcons surely remember.
