SAN JOSE - After an even first half, Lynbrook caught fire in the third quarter, overwhelming Branham 54-47 in a home CCS Division II second round matchup.
Up by one late in the third, Lynbrook (14-12) center Andrew Destin scored three points on a layup and foul, which was followed by a steal leading to guard Andrew Chang’s buzzer-beating three to take a 39-32 lead. It was a tight game before the breakaway, as Branham’s big men, Luke Sayre and Brandon Anders, combined to score three quick points. However, Chang kept Lynbrook afloat with nine total points in the quarter, as the Vikings coasted to victory after the flurry.
“We were able to swing the ball well,” said Destin. “We got shooters open and everyone was able to score.”
Lynbrook sealed the game in the final period, as they stopped the Branham (17-8) post play, holding Branham’s stalwarts in Sayre and Anders. The Vikings took off early, going up by eleven behind Chang and Destin’s scoring. Branham guards Jacob Dressler and DJ Rocha were able to combine for 12 points in a late comeback attempt, but after cutting the lead to five, Kevin Le’s free throws sealed the game.
“We limited the half-court set,” said Destin. “We knew they had good big men, so we focused on that in practice and tried to body them.”
The game was neck-and-neck throughout the first half. Branham finished the first quarter with a 16-10 lead, with Anders dropping in six points and Rocha driving down the length of the court in less than five seconds to put in a buzzer-beating layup over three Lynbrook defenders.
Lynbrook evened it up in the second. Branham held their ground early, as Anders found himself wide open for a layup and Dressler buried a three-pointer with a hand in his face. However, down seven, Le and Chang buried back-to-back three-pointers. Destin’s free throw tied the game at 22, which it stayed for two full minutes until Erik Sanchez split two Lynbrook defenders to take a two point lead with ten seconds left. Immediately, the Vikings fed the ball to Destin, who connected on a post fadeaway with a second remaining to tie up the half and create momentum for Lynbrook.
“They play very well together,” said Branham sophomore Mateo Melgoza. “They executed tonight.”
Branham ends their season as BVAL-Santa Teresa champions, ending their season the same as last year, with a loss in the second round of CCS.
“I’m proud of how well we played all season,” said Melgoza. “We’re a family - we play as one.” Dressler led the team with 14 points and Sayre and Rocha each added 11.
Lynbrook will play second-seeded Leigh on Saturday at Aragon High School in the CCS quarterfinals, after finishing third in the SCVAL-El Camino division. Chang scored a game-high 20 points and Destin added 11.
“Now, it’s all about preparation for Leigh.” said Destin.
