PHOTO & STORY BY CRISTIAN SANDOVAL
Cypress (16-11) defeated Santa Ana College (5-20) 95-69 in their last home game of the season on Feb. 23, 2022.
After a devastating loss to the No.1 Fullerton, the Chargers were looking to quickly recover and get back on track, as Cypress intends to lock in a playoff spot.
Cypress started out the game strong from the three-point line, as freshmen guards Grant Sii and Trent Goldmann knocked down their three-point shots and gave the Chargers a quick 6-2 lead.
Sophomore Nijel Jones was added to the mix, after grabbing an offensive rebound and finishing the play with a lay-up, increasing the Chargers lead 8-2 at the 16:34 minute mark.
Goldmann again made his presence felt from the three point line, as he scored three more three-pointers, helping Cypress maintain their lead against the Dons. The freshmen guard had a very productive first half, shooting 80 percent from downtown (4-5) and finished as the Chargers second leading scorer with 14 points and 2 assists.
The Chargers freshman guard Paul Head erupted in the first half coming off the bench, scoring ten straight points, extending the Cypress’s lead 38-22 with four minutes left to play in the first half.
“My teammates were hyping me up as soon as I got in… it kind of just got me going,” said Head.
Head finished the game as the Chargers leading scorer with 29 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists.
Cypress did not lose momentum and finished off the first half by scoring four three-pointers. The Chargers went into halftime with a 24 point lead, 52-28.
The Chargers were very effective in the first half and shot 59.4 percent from field goal range (19-32) and 57.9 percent from three point range (11-19).
Staying aggressive and not getting distracted was something Cypress Head Coach Andrew Alhadeff was aware of for the second half.
“It’s important that we are aggressive and that we did it the right way and that’s sharing the ball, ” said Cypress Head Coach Andrew Alhadeff
The start of the second half was no different than the way the first half ended, as Head kept crushing the boards from the three-point line, maintaining a 24 point lead for the Chargers with 15 minutes to play.
Freshmen guards Ge’mal Williams and Mathis Aiassa both added themselves to the scoreboard off the bench for the Chargers with a couple of three-pointers.
The Chargers bench was very impressive as they outscored the Dons bench 53-27.
“That’s a ton. That might be the most in my career here, 50 bench points… I’m proud of all our guys, sticking together,” said Alhadeff
Cypress maintained their focus and dominance in the second half and walked of with a 26 point win.
Next Up: The Charger will visit Riverside College in their last game of the season on Friday, Feb. 25 at 5 p.m.