On Friday, Feb. 23, Mission Bay captured the CIF Div. I basketball championship after defeating the No. 8 seed Scripps Ranch Falcons 57-43.
It’s the program’s first CIF title since 2018, and for both coach and players, the win served as a bit of redemption for last season’s loss in the title game to La Jolla Country Day.
“It felt like redemption,” said Mission Bay head coach Marshawn Cherry. “Last year in the title game, we went in underestimating LJCD, and they jumped on us. But this time around, we didn’t let that happen. I was so proud and happy for our guys. They’ve worked hard, given everything they had all season, and were able to make it all come to fruition and go out as winners.”
The championship game was yet another showing of the Buccaneers’ offensive depth and versatility, as three players scored in double figures on Friday night. Senior Gavin Girouard and Isaah Whitehurst would go for 10 points each in the victory, both cutting and finishing at the rim.
Marcos Korch would also put together an effective night, filling it up for nine points and nine rebounds. However, the most dominant performance would come from Charlie Hutchison, as the senior power-forward would connect for 19 points and grab 10 rebounds.
“Our older guys like Charlie, Gavin, Isaah, and Marcos did a great job of executing,” Cherry said. “We had put in some new plays and knew how we wanted to attack them. We knew they liked to overload and jump you and wall and pack the paint. So it allowed our offense to use backdoor cuts and also let us know we would have some kick-out opportunities for our shooters.”
A key part of Mission Bay’s offensive success would stem from their ability to score in bunches. The Buccaneers ripped off several timely scoring runs, most notably two 7-0 runs to start the third and fourth quarters. The runs would not only create a more comfortable lead but also send Scripps Ranch into a bit of a panic that would result in several ineffective possessions.
“We had stretched the lead to 18 points twice on the night, but I kept telling the guys to get to 20. When you get to 20, it becomes a mental hurdle for your opponent, as it makes them feel like they are being blown out or out of the game,” Cherry said.
“By getting to that 20-point lead, we knew they would start getting flustered and putting up bad shots. Scripps had battled back in every playoff game they had been in, so we knew they were not going to quit. No matter what the lead, we could not allow them to get comfortable,” Cherry said.
Pairing with the quality offensive showing was another equally impressive showing on the defensive end of the floor. Holding an opponent to 43 points in a title game is no small feat.
Along with dominating their interior, the Bucs also did an excellent job of closing out on shooters on the perimeter versus a three-point-heavy Falcons team. The physicality and hustle of Girouard, Caleb Newton, Korch, and Hutchison wore out Scripps Ranch, forcing contested shot after contested shot.
“We knew a lot of their offensive stuff was predicated on getting jump shots, setting each other up for threes, and backdoor cuts. So we knew who was who and who they wanted to get the shots to,” said Cherry. “They guys did a great job of making them uncomfortable and making sure that they were not able to get clean looks consistently.”
Mission Bay has earned a spot in the CIF state playoffs as the No. 9 seed in the Div. II bracket. In round one, on Tuesday, Feb 27, at 7 p.m., the Bucs will play at No. 8 seed Corona Del Mar.
“We’re a little disappointed with our seed. We expected to have one home game, but for some reason, CIF doesn’t give us, and other teams in San Diego, as much respect as I would hope they would,” Cherry said. “We’re going to go on the road and give it our best and do everything we can to try to get a win.”
