BUENA PARK – Buena Park is almost too athletic for the liking of its coach, Damian Farmer.
Deonte Beckham, the Coyotes’ pogo stick of a power forward, can do things on the basketball court few kids his size can do, and his athleticism compensates for the mistakes he makes at both ends of the floor. He’s a work in progress, Farmer said, but he’s not far off.
Beckham scored 17 points and grabbed 19 rebounds Friday, and Buena Park defeated visiting Yorba Linda, 55-45, to advance to the quarterfinals of the Division 3AA playoffs.
The Coyotes (21-7) will be home against Bonita on Tuesday night.
“You put up with certain mistakes because Deonte does so many things for us,” said Farmer, who believes it has been several decades since Buena Park last played a third-round playoff game. “You live with some of the things he does because he’s capable of so much.”
Beckham said he just does what his coaches ask him to do: play fast, aggressive. He works as hard for position underneath as anyone, making him nearly impossible to box out.
“We began the summer with some goals in mind, and a CIF championship was one of them,” Beckham said. “That’s what we’re chasing right now.”
Buena Park guard Cedric Dashiell II scored 14 points, and often pushed the tempo on the break through two or even three retreating defenders. Dashiell II can be reckless, but he limited his turnovers.
In the half-court, Yorba Linda (22-8) sagged off Dashiell II, daring him to shoot from atop the key. Farmer said he told Dashiell II to take the open shot early. After three misses, Dashiell II began penetrating. Those dribble drives collapsed Yorba Linda’s defense, freeing shooters on the perimeter and giving Beckham room to operate underneath.
Rocky Watkins hit a couple jumpers, and finished with 13 points. Beckham feasted on the offensive glass.
Buena Park hit only one 3-pointer, but got a lot of high-percentage looks in the restricted area.
Buena Park finally settled into its offense early in the second quarter.
Yorba Linda briefly took the lead after intermission, and trailed by one after three. But Buena Park pulled away midway through the fourth.
“I told my kids yesterday that we have a chance to make history,” Farmer said.
Isaac Douglass led Yorba Linda with 17 points.
Contact the writer: bwhitehead@ocregister.com
