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Division I: El Camino vs Rancho Bernardo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkUYlp_80h4

Broncos dethrone Wildcats to cap surprising title run

As a 6-seed in a loaded bracket, Rancho Bernardo wasn’t really in the Division I title conversation when the playoffs started. The Broncos are now the talk of the top division, completing an unlikely title run with a 64-55 win over 5-seed and defending champion El Camino on Saturday Night at the University of San Diego.

“It’s awesome to be a part of it,” said Rancho Bernardo senior guard Justin Inman. “It’s almost overwhelming just because we hadn’t been here in so long. It has been a long road.”

The Broncos dethroned the Wildcats with a hot start and consistent play on both ends of the court. After hitting a three on their opening possession, Rancho Bernardo (21-11) raced out to a 15-4 lead to start the game and led by seven after the first quarter.

“We came out hot and it was our shooters who did it,” said Rancho Bernardo head coach Jim Choe. “We just came out and hit good shots. We are a good shooting team.”

Rancho Bernardo cooled off in the second quarter and El Camino (19-11) made it a two-point game by halftime. But the Broncos came out strong to start the third quarter and opened up an 11 point lead with three minutes left in the quarter on a reverse layup by forward Brett Stephan, who finished with a game-high 20 points.

“He just goes out and plays hard,” Choe said of Stephan. “He has been flying under the radar and was clutch in the biggest stage possible.”

El Camino cut the lead to single digits in the fourth quarter, but could not get closer than eight down the stretch. With 2:30 left in the game, Rancho Bernardo guard Michael Monis hit a three to give the Broncos a 14-point lead and end any threat of a Wildcats’ comeback.

“We win not because we’re more athletic, but because we give everything. We have the will to win, the dedication and the determination,” Choe said. “We’re not the best athletes but we figure out a way to win.”

With the Palomar League rivals squaring off for the fourth time this season, there weren’t any secrets between the Broncos and Wildcats. Choe said Rancho Bernardo’s defensive efforts focused on stopping El Camino point guard Chris Gorman.

“He’s not their only player, but he is the key to their offense and when he gets going, everybody else gets going along with him,” Choe said. “So we really focused on him and taking away his looks.”

Rancho Bernardo guarded Gorman straight up and he finished with only eight points on 3-of-10 shooting. Guard Kyle Mitchell led El Camino with 16 points.

“We really went over personnel and everything,” Inman said. “We knew what they wanted to do, we knew what we had to do to win and we were able to do it.”

Offensively, Inman and center Tanner Clayton also finished in double figures for Rancho Bernardo, with 10 points apiece. The Broncos won their first section title since 1998.

“Last year when I took over the team we were the underdogs,” Choe said. “Nobody knew about us and everybody thought all new players, new coach they are going to be down. I liked flying under the radar.”

As they enter the state tournament, it will be tough for the Broncos to hide much longer. Not that state is even a major concern.

“We only joked around about state. We haven’t really thought about it at all,” Choe admitted after the game. “Whoever we get in state it will be a fun game, but this is the one we were really focusing on.”

Rancho Bernardo – 64 (18-8-19-19)

Stephan 20, Inman 10, Clayton 10, Monis 9, Fuller 6 (starters) Searson 5, Whyte 4

El Camino – 55 (11-13-13-18)

Mitchell 16, Butler 9, Gorman 8, Boddie 7, Beard 0 (starters) Tucker 9, Ena 5, Markham 1

Rancho Bernardo forward Brett Stephan looks to drive on El Camino guard Dayton Boddie

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkUYlp_80h4

Broncos dethrone Wildcats to cap surprising title run

As a 6-seed in a loaded bracket, Rancho Bernardo wasn’t really in the Division I title conversation when the playoffs started. The Broncos are now the talk of the top division, completing an unlikely title run with a 64-55 win over 5-seed and defending champion El Camino on Saturday Night at the University of San Diego.

“It’s awesome to be a part of it,” said Rancho Bernardo senior guard Justin Inman. “It’s almost overwhelming just because we hadn’t been here in so long. It has been a long road.”

The Broncos dethroned the Wildcats with a hot start and consistent play on both ends of the court. After hitting a three on their opening possession, Rancho Bernardo (21-11) raced out to a 15-4 lead to start the game and led by seven after the first quarter.

“We came out hot and it was our shooters who did it,” said Rancho Bernardo head coach Jim Choe. “We just came out and hit good shots. We are a good shooting team.”

Rancho Bernardo cooled off in the second quarter and El Camino (19-11) made it a two-point game by halftime. But the Broncos came out strong to start the third quarter and opened up an 11 point lead with three minutes left in the quarter on a reverse layup by forward Brett Stephan, who finished with a game-high 20 points.

“He just goes out and plays hard,” Choe said of Stephan. “He has been flying under the radar and was clutch in the biggest stage possible.”

El Camino cut the lead to single digits in the fourth quarter, but could not get closer than eight down the stretch. With 2:30 left in the game, Rancho Bernardo guard Michael Monis hit a three to give the Broncos a 14-point lead and end any threat of a Wildcats’ comeback.

“We win not because we’re more athletic, but because we give everything. We have the will to win, the dedication and the determination,” Choe said. “We’re not the best athletes but we figure out a way to win.”

With the Palomar League rivals squaring off for the fourth time this season, there weren’t any secrets between the Broncos and Wildcats. Choe said Rancho Bernardo’s defensive efforts focused on stopping El Camino point guard Chris Gorman.

“He’s not their only player, but he is the key to their offense and when he gets going, everybody else gets going along with him,” Choe said. “So we really focused on him and taking away his looks.”

Rancho Bernardo guarded Gorman straight up and he finished with only eight points on 3-of-10 shooting. Guard Kyle Mitchell led El Camino with 16 points.

“We really went over personnel and everything,” Inman said. “We knew what they wanted to do, we knew what we had to do to win and we were able to do it.”

Offensively, Inman and center Tanner Clayton also finished in double figures for Rancho Bernardo, with 10 points apiece. The Broncos won their first section title since 1998.

“Last year when I took over the team we were the underdogs,” Choe said. “Nobody knew about us and everybody thought all new players, new coach they are going to be down. I liked flying under the radar.”

As they enter the state tournament, it will be tough for the Broncos to hide much longer. Not that state is even a major concern.

“We only joked around about state. We haven’t really thought about it at all,” Choe admitted after the game. “Whoever we get in state it will be a fun game, but this is the one we were really focusing on.”

Rancho Bernardo – 64 (18-8-19-19)

Stephan 20, Inman 10, Clayton 10, Monis 9, Fuller 6 (starters) Searson 5, Whyte 4

El Camino – 55 (11-13-13-18)

Mitchell 16, Butler 9, Gorman 8, Boddie 7, Beard 0 (starters) Tucker 9, Ena 5, Markham 1

Rancho Bernardo forward Brett Stephan looks to drive on El Camino guard Dayton Boddie

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