Foothill boys basketball team captured the title of the Tournament of Champions at Ocean View with a 74-68 victory over Long Beach Millikan on Saturday at Ocean View.
Reed Nakakihara of Foothill was named most valuable player, and teammates Eric Patton and Riley O’Hern were named to the all-tournament team.
In the game, Lucas Araujo scored 19 points, O’Hern had 15 points and Nakakihara had 13 points to lead Foothill (5-0).
“Our teamwork was very good,” Foothill coach Rusty Van Cleave said. “Offensively we shared the ball and executed well for this early in the season. We are making progress on the defensive end of the floor, which was to be expected based on how we practiced leading up to the tournament.
“The big wins over good Bullard and JSerra teams gave us confidence heading into the final. Fortunately we had played Long Beach Millikan twice in the summer so we knew what to expect from their pressing, relentless style of play in the championship game.
“Our four main returners led us and showed the balance that we have as a team. Reed ran the show, Riley scored from all over the court, Andrew did a great job defensively on the other teams best player and he rebounded well. Eric Patton was a force on both ends of the court scoring, rebounding, and controlling play around the rim.
“Returners Josh Gonzalez and Greg Blanchard showed how much they have improved since last season with solid play on both sides of the ball.
“Additionally juniors Lucas Araujo, Jacob Sanchez, Connor Stinson and Matt Avila really played well with their opportunities, and we needed them. Lucas in particular elevated his game, scoring 12 against Bullard and then a game-high 19 in the championship game. The Jim Harris Memorial Ocean View Tournament of Champions has been one of the top tournaments in Southern California.
“We are proud to have won it and look forward to building on the solid start we have had on the court.”
Foothill also defeated JSerra, 75-53. Nakakihara had 21 points to lead Foothill. Patton scored 14 points.
The Knights topped Bullard of Fresno, 72-50, and Los Angeles CES, 68-31 in their other tournament games.
Contact the writer: tburt@ocregister.com
