BOYS BASKETBALL: Chino Hills uses fourth quarter surge to beat Damien and clinch Sierra League title

Damien’s Isaiah McCullough (32) blocks the shot by Chino Hills’ Nick Earley (10) in the first half of a prep basketball game at Damien High School on Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2013 in La Verne, Calif. Chino Hills won 62-50.
(Keith Birmingham/ San Gabriel Valley Tribune)

By Steve Ramirez, SGVN
twitter.com/SteveRRamirez
LA VERNE —
When all else fails, the Chino Hills High School boys basketball team knows it can rely on its defense.
The Huskies turned to the trait again Tuesday and the result is the Sierra League championship.
Chino Hills used a 14-2 run to open the fourth quarter and clinched the league title with a 62-50 victory over host Damien.
The Huskies, getting 15 points from Cameron Curry and 13 from Bishop Mency, improved to 22-4 and 9-0 in league play. Jeremy Hemsley had 20 points and Jared Dizon 17 for the Spartans, who slipped to 19-6 and 6-3.
Chino Hills coach Steve Baik: “We never got into a rhythm other than that stretch in the fourth quarter. Offensively, we like to build from our defense. It created some easy offensive opportunities for us. It created some flow and rhythm for us. Our players made plays. It was as simple as that. We’re fortunate to come out of here with a win.”
Damien coach Matt Dunn: “I think you have to give them (Chino Hills) credit. When it came to winning time, they understood what it took. To be honest, I thought it was loose balls. They got every loose ball for four or five minutes and we go from up four to down 10. They are too good at that point. There were opportunities there to really keep it close, but we just didn’t quite hang in there long enough.”

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