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JSerra basketball adds to its big week with a win over Crean Lutheran in Nike Extravaganza

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SANTA ANA — JSerra’s boys basketball team had quite a week.

The Lions defeated Santa Margarita and St. John Bosco in Trinity League games. It was St. John Bosco’s first league loss.

The Lions capped their great week Saturday with a 61-56 overtime win over Crean Lutheran in the Nike Extravaganza at Mater Dei.

JSerra (18-8) outscored Crean Lutheran (18-7) 7-2 in the overtime period.

Sebastian Rancik, a 6-9 junior forward, led the Lions with 29 points and 17 rebounds. Junior guard Diego Martinez scored 14 points, and senior guard EJ Bryson had six assists.

Freshman guard Kaiden Bailey scored a game-high 23 points for Crean Lutheran. He did not have his best game shooting, making 9 of 26 shots including 5 of 18 on 3-pointers.

Crean’s team totals were 21 for 62 on all shots and 12 for 44 on 3-point attempts.

JSerra is No. 6 in the Orange County Top 25 and Crean Lutheran is No. 10.

Rancik had missed some recent games because of a concussion. JSerra coach Keith Wilkinson is relieved to have an intact lineup again, although starting center Jake Stafford missed Saturday’s game because of an ankle injury incurred during the win over Santa Margarita.

“We’re healthy,” Wilkinson said. “We haven’t had our full arsenal of guys since Vegas (where JSerra played in a tournament in December). When Seb missed those 21/2 weeks, it hurts without your top high-major (college) prospect on the floor.”

Crean Lutheran led 34-24 at halftime and outscored JSerra 18-8 in the second quarter. Rancik made a quick turnaround 5-foot jump shot inside with six seconds left in the fourth quarter to force overtime.

Rancik liked the way JSerra played with enthusiasm Saturday afternoon after an emotionally- and physically-draining win over St. John Bosco on Friday night

“It was a quick turnaround,” Rancik said. “We had a hard first half. I’m really proud of the way our guys stuck together and fought through all the adversity of the first half.

The Lions play two league games this week, the final week of the regular season. They are at Servite on Tuesday and home against Orange Lutheran on Thursday. JSerra beat Servite and lost to Orange Lutheran in earlier league games.

Crean Lutheran, in first place in the Empire League with a 7-0 record, has three league games next week. The Saints are home against Cypress on Monday and against Valencia on Wednesday, and at Kennedy on Thursday.

CIF Southern Section playoff brackets will be released Sunday, Feb. 5.

Also at the Nike Extravaganza:

No. 5 Mater Dei 96, St. Mary’s (Arizona) 69: A 32-point second quarter put plenty of distance between the Monarchs (20-6) and the Knights (11-12).

Twelve Monarchs scored, led by freshman Luke Barnett’s 24 points. Barnett was 8 for 10 on 3-point shots. Scotty Belnap, a junior, added 17 points, senior Zack Davidson scored 12 points with 10 rebounds and freshman Brannon Martinsen scored 11 points with seven rebounds.

Coronado (Nevada) 59, No. 7 Foothill 49: The Knights (23-4) lost for only the fourth time this season. Foothill lost to Canyon in a Crestview League game on Friday night.

UCLA-signed Sebastian Mack led Coronado (13-8) with 22 points.

No. 16 Aliso Niguel 54, Calvary Chapel 50: An excellent defensive effort in the fourth quarter helped the Wolverines (14-10) beat the Eagles (16-9).

Aliso Niguel held Calvary Chapel to three points in the final quarter while the Wolverines scored 12.

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