BOYS BASKETBALL: Cougars Ousted by Top Seed

The Score: Sacred Heart Prep 72, HMB 41.

The Star: Half Moon Bay High’s Goose Arroyo completed his high school career with a strong showing in a Central Coast Section Division IV quarterfinal defeat on Saturday afternoon. The senior wing led all scorers with 19 points and three 3-pointers, the only Cougar to keep up offensively with high-powered Sacred Heart Prep (23-2) at Menlo School.

The Turning Point: The second quarter. Eighth-seeded Half Moon Bay essentially lost any chance of a comeback when it was outscored 19-6 in the period by No. 1 seed and defending champion Sacred Heart Prep to fall behind 39-18 at halftime. The Gators used their great length to bottle up HMB on defense while their array of offensive options steadily built the lead at the other end of the court.

The Quote: “When our captains went out there (before the game), it looked like varsity playing against freshmen. It’s not just one or two guys – it’s five of them.” – HMB coach Rich Forslund, on the tremendous size advantage Sacred Heart Prep enjoyed over his players.

What’s Next? The Cougars’ season is finished.

The Bottom Line: Half Moon Bay’s solid season came to an expected end against an elite opponent in Sacred Heart Prep, a state title contender and the No. 3 team in . The Cougar program definitely appears headed in the right direction. HMB (19-10) exceeded the 18 wins it achieved a year ago, and matched that team’s CCS quarterfinal appearance. Moreover, the Cougars return all but two players from a unit that challenged for the title in a very competitive Peninsula Athletic League Ocean Division – ultimately falling one game short. Junior starters Spencer White (who battled on the boards and defended well against SHP), Carter White, Dom Williams and Andy Simanek will all be back. So will freshman Jordan Cariaga, who enjoyed some standout moments, including in the Cougars' 57-53 win over Monte Vista Christian in the second round of the CCS playoffs.

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Sacred Heart Prep 72, Half Moon Bay 41

HMB -- 12 6 12 11 – 41

SHP – 20 19 12 22 – 72

HMB: S. White 3 4-5 10, Arroyo 7 2-5 19, Cariaga 0 1-2 1, Simanek 3 1-4 7, Williams 1 2-3 4. Totals: 14 10-19.

SHP: R. McConnell 8 1-2 18, M. McNamara 1 2-2 4, P. McNamara 2 1-2 7, C. McConnell 3 0-0 8, Terndrup 3 3-5 10, W. McConnell 6 2-5 15, O’Donnell 3 0-0 6, Moran 0 2-2 2, Baloff 1 0-0 2. Totals:

3-point goals: HMB: Arroyo 3. SHP: P. McNamara 2, C. McConnell 2, R. McConnell, Terndrup, W. McConnell.

Records: Half Moon Bay 19-10. Sacred Heart Prep 23-2.