Jensen lifts Centennial over Clovis
| Saturday, Feb 28 2009 02:27 AM
Last Updated Friday, Mar 27 2009 01:02 PM
To coach Alex Lee, Centennial did more than advance to the Division I Central Section semifinals Friday night.
He said the No. 3 seed Golden Hawks proved themselves to any doubters with a 63-59 home victory over No. 6 Clovis, a team from the heralded Tri-River Athletic Conference.
"We know the seeding didn't mean anything," Lee said. "You hear so much about the TRAC. I know Clovis was fourth, but you look at their scores, every one was close, and they beat a couple of those teams. Not only does it to some extent legitimize our year, but it legitimizes our seed."
That's due in large part to senior Nick Jensen, who had 24 points, 20 rebounds and four blocks for Centennial (21-4), taking advantage as Clovis (18-13) blanketed Centennial star guard Cody Kessler.
Centennial advances to play at No. 2 Fresno-Central in Wednesday's semifinals.
Kessler still had 18 points, including seven in the fourth quarter when the Hawks were clinging to a lead. He hit a baseline drive with about three minutes left to give Centennial a 58-54 lead and took a charge with the score 60-56 with 1:07 left.
Jensen's free throw with 25 seconds left made the lead four.
"Nick had his best week of practice," Lee said. "He didn't want his senior year to be over. He's been talking about it. That has to be one of the best paint performances we've had in Centennial history."
Ridgeview 67, Madera South 47
Wolf Pack coach Bobby Sharp won a family affair as Kaylin Evans had 15 points, 12 rebounds and 10 blocks for his second straight playoff double-double in Division III.
Sharp's brother, Jody, is the Madera South coach, and his nephew, Ryan, is the Stallions' starting point guard. Ryan Sharp had 10 points.
Top-seeded Ridgeview advances to the D-III semifinals Wednesday, when they will host No. 4 Visalia-El Diamante.
