Tied at the end of three quarters against Cupertino, Palo Alto's Miles Tention poured in 13 of his game-high 29 points in the final eight minutes, lifting the Vikings to the 53-48 victory on Wednesday night.
Tention hit five field goals in the final quarter, including two of his six three-pointers, as Palo Alto also turned up the defense in the fourth, holding Cupertino's leading scorers - Koshi Huynh and George Ellegood - to just seven points combined in the last period.
Palo Alto's Max Dorward also broke out from his quiet night in the fourth quarter. After being held to two points in the first three periods, Dorward scored six points in the fourth. Will Schlemmer also had a big all-around game for the Vikings. Schlemmer only scored four points, but led the team with seven rebounds, five assists, and three steals.
The defensive effort for Palo Alto against Huynh and Ellegood was key, as the pair combined for 35 of the Pioneers' 48 points in the game.
Palo Alto will now face Los Gatos for the CCS Division 1 title on Saturday night. The Wildcats raced past Piedmont Hills in the other semifinal, 59-36. The game will take place at 7 pm, at Santa Clara University.
For a look at the complete Division 1 bracket, click here.
