The Buccaneers basketball squad earned a fourth place finish in the “Slam” division after going 2-1 in the 17th annual Surf ‘N Slam Tournament at Mission Bay High Dec. 27 through 29.
A one point over-time loss in their opening game against Bella Vista High was followed by wins over St. Stephen’s from Austin, Texas, and Sacred Heart Prep from Atherton, Calif., in the Bay Area.
“We have learned a lot in our first two tournaments,” said Mission Bay head coach Dennis Kane. “If we could have made four or five more rebounds, we would be 8-1 instead of 6-3.”
A free-throw separated the Bucs from victory against Bella Vista on Thursday. But the miss led them into overtime with the visitors from Fair Oaks, Calif., and a 47-46 loss.
On Friday the Bucs earned a 21-point victory over St. Stephen’s with a 64-43 score. The win put Mission Bay in the consolation finals against Sacred Heart.
The Bucs applied a full-court press from the tipoff against the Gators on Saturday morning. The defensive success helped them step out to a 9-2 lead and continue to build momentum.
The 22-7 lead after one quarter grew to 39-15 at the half. Mission Bay maintained at least a 20-point lead for the remainder of the game that ended in a comfortable 74-42 margin.
Esaias Tsegai and Derrick Thompson both finished the game with 19 points. The Bucs’ 6-foot-7inch forward Thomas Tiop added 15 points, Charles Jock 8, Eliskhan Sheripone 4 and Julius Young 3. Tyrell Green and Curt Henry each added a basket.
“Thompson almost won the first game by himself ” he had a very good tournament,” Kane said. “We got a lot of good play from Tiop too.
“We’re not getting the second shot, the put-backs,” Kane added. “But we have smoothed out our offense. We’re growing ” we’re going to get better.”
The Bucs’ Western League regular season schedule starts Tuesday, Jan. 8, when they travel to St. Augustine’s for a 4:30 p.m. game.
Then on Friday, Jan. 11, the Bucs will host Scripps Ranch for a 7:30 tip-off. Mission Bay will also play on Jan. 12, 14 and 15. Then on Friday, Jan. 18, the Bucs will host University City at 7:30 p.m.
The Buccaneer Boosters maintain a wide assortment of concession-stand food and refreshments. At the Friday night games they will again feature dinners of teriyaki chicken bowls from Leilani’s Café, 5109 Cass St.
League play continues with a second round from Jan. 25 until Feb, 12, followed by the CIF playoffs.
Mission Bay sports information is available from the school at (858) 273-1313 and the school website at www.missionbayhigh.com.