Providence boys’ basketball earns another upset road win in state playoffs
For the second time in three days, the Providence High boys’ basketball team traveled to the San Diego area to participate in a CIF State Division III Southern California Regional contest.
Apparently, the long journeys south aren’t a problem for the Pioneers.
Upstart No. 11 Providence received 19 points from Jordan Shelley and 18 from Bryce Whitaker to cruise to a 65-50 road win against No. 3 Oceanside El Camino on Thursday at Army-Navy Academy in Carlsbad.
Providence (27-7) will meet No. 15 Fountain Valley (22-9) in a semifinal home contest at 6 p.m. Saturday. Fountain Valley registered a 71-47 win on the road against No. 10 Price on Thursday.
“It took us about three-plus hours to get down here, but we’re happy right now with the win,” said Providence coach Brandon Lincoln, whose team picked up a 68-66 overtime win versus No. 6 San Marcos in a first-round tilt Tuesday. “Maybe the long trips here are good because it builds the team camaraderie.
“We had a really good focus to start the game and we made the plays and defended well.”
The Pioneers led, 18-8, after the first quarter and built a 35-22 halftime advantage. Providence led, 52-39, entering the fourth quarter.
Providence got 11 points from A’Jahni Levias, seven from Andrew Dabbaghian and six from Collin Ferrell.
“We knew coming into state that we have a very good team and we our using our seed as motivation,” Lincoln said. “We have a lot of players with experience and it’s helped them throughout the playoffs.
“[El Camino] had an unorthodox defense and we were able to figure it out. We were just trying to hit the open shots and get on a roll. We were able to do a lot of good things.”
Providence, which won the Prep League for a second consecutive season, advanced to the CIF Southern Section Division III-A semifinals before falling on the road to runner-up Riverside Hillcrest.
The Pioneers reached the CIF Southern Section Division IV-A title game in 2019 before making it to the Southern California Regional semifinals.
“We’ve now gotten to where we were at state last year,” Lincoln said. “It will be a good feeling to finally play at home.
“Our guys are just going to continue to stay motivated and do what we can to get another win.”
El Camino (25-7) finished first in the Avocado East League and defeated No. 14 Adelano, 77-68, in the first round of state. El Camino reached the semifinals in the CIF San Diego Division I playoffs.