SANTA ANA — Brandon Smith hit nine of 10 free throws in the third quarter to push Godinez to a 50-43 victory over Aliso Niguel in the Gold Bracket semifinals of the Grizzly Invitational at Godinez High on Friday.
“It’s even more exciting,” Smith said of making the final in Godinez’s tournament. “I’m super excited to play this game tomorrow.”
The Grizzlies (4-0) play El Toro in the final on Saturday.
“Any time you get to any final it’s good,” Godinez coach Gregory Coombs said. “The fact that it came tough is even better.”
Aliso Niguel (3-1) took a 14-12 lead after the first quarter and a 25-19 lead into halftime on physical interior defense. Despite being forced outside and not hitting a few shots, Godinez was encouraged by the six-point deficit.
“We were able to grind it out enough to stay within striking distance,” Coombs said.
The physicality turned against Aliso Niguel in the second half and sent Smith to the line 16 times in the half.
“I said, ‘Brandon, these are easy points. You’ve got to make these,’ ” Smith said.
Midway through the third, Smith was fouled on a dunk attempt, but he made both free throws to give Godinez a lead, 28-27, that it wouldn’t relinquish.
In the fourth quarter, Godinez continued to capitalize at the line, going 8 of 12 in the quarter, to close out the victory.
Smith finished with 25 points and pulled in 14 rebounds and four steals. Danny Flores hit the outside shots for the Grizzlies, scoring 17 points and making four 3-pointers.
Aliso Niguel had a balanced attack with Mitzel leading the team with 10 points.
In another Grizzly Invitational game:
El Toro 77, Savanna 48: The Chargers (4-0) outpaced the Rebels (3-1) from start to finish, leading, 27-13, after the first quarter and 46-25 at halftime.
El Toro sealed the game with four 3-pointers in an 18-7 third-quarter run.
Trey Jordan led the Chargers with 21 points going 5 of 6 on 3-point shots.
Kyle Davis’ 15 points led Savanna, who pushed the pace with a full-court press until the end.
