MISSION VIEJO – A head coach in his second season heading the program, and a player in his third year in the United States, helped a school in its 45th year of existence earn its first ever spot in a CIF Southern Section boys’ basketball championship game Saturday night.
San Juan Capistrano’s Capistrano Valley Christian High Christian Eagles got a 10-point first-quarter effort from 6-foot-7 Festus Ndumanya for an early advantage that they were able to maintain throughout on their way to a 48-34 Division 3A semifinal victory over the Palos Verdes Sea Kings at Mission Viejo High.
Coach Chris Childress’ Eagles (26-4) earned a spot in the championship game against Palm Springs, which pulled off a 55-54 stunner at top-seed Santa Barbara Saturday night.
The location, day and time of the contest is expected to be announced by the CIF Southern Section administration Monday.
It could be played either Friday or Saturday, likely either at Colony High in Ontario or Godinez High in Santa Ana.
The Eagles held a four-point lead at intermission before Ndumanya was called for his third foul and went to the bench barely a bit more than a minute into the third quarter.
But, thanks to a five-rebound effort by reserve forward Dylen Roberts and couple of 3s by Luke Powell, the advantage grew to seven points with Ndumanya on the bench the rest of the quarter.
Ndumanya (who came from Nigeria three years ago and signed a letter of intent with Cal State Northridge in November) was back on the floor to start the fourth quarter but back on the bench at the 5:20 mark after being hit with an offensive foul with his team up, 10 points.
But, when Childress put him in the game two minutes later, the lead had grown to 13 points.
“This is a tough-minded group,” Childress (PICTURED) said afterward.
“They stepped up when the big guy (Ndumanya) was out. That’s happened all season. The other night (in the quarterfinal win over Salesian) Festus only scored four points but Powell (a 6-2, left-handed junior who scored a team-high 15 points Saturday night) gave us 22 points.
“It was a huge win for the team and the school. I’m so proud of these guys.”
The Eagles were finely honed against tough competition long before the playoffs began on Feb. 8.
They won six of eight games San Joaquin League, splitting a pair of games each with Fairmont Prep and Pacifica Christian – teams that will playing one another for the 4AA championship this coming weekend.
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