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Eric Castillo sparks Sonora in victory over Agoura in 2A boys basketball playoffs

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LA HABRA — Sonora boys basketball coach Mike Murphy knew his team would have to contain Agoura guard Zane Miller, who was coming off a 50-point game, to have a chance at victory.

Not only did the Raiders do that, but they also got a great shooting performance from key reserve Eric Castillo as they defeated Agoura 74-59 in a CIF-SS Division 2A second-round playoff game Friday night at Sonora High.

Castillo scored 21 points off the bench, converting seven 3-pointers while shooting 7 of 11 from beyond the arc. Yoda Oke played a superb all-around game with a triple-double, 21 points, 15 rebounds and 12 assists. The Raiders knocked down 11 3s in the contest.

Sonora (26-4) will play at No. 2 seed Pacifica Christian (22-8) on Tuesday in the quarterfinals.

Murphy was jubilant after Castillo’s big night.

“He’s a phenomenal player and he’s had the toughest year, and I just kept encouraging him, ‘hang in there, your time’s coming,’ and he stepped up tonight,” Murphy said. “I was so happy for that kid, you don’t have any idea how badly he wanted that. He’s one of the best shooters I’ve ever coached, and I tell him he’s lightning in a bottle. Once he gets it going, holy cow.”

Murphy also praised the all-around effort by Oke.

“Yoda is Yoda, he’s been a special player for us all year.”

The Raiders’ game plan on defense was to place their best defender, Riley Hale, on Miller. Hale was up to the task, doing a great job of denying Miller any clean looks in the first half. Miller had five points at halftime.

“We wrote 4 on the board tonight. We wanted to play four quarters and take at least four charges and I think we took seven,” Murphy said. “Riley took three charges and Eric took three charges, so that’s what we needed to do.”

The first quarter was a back-and-forth affair with six lead changes. Oke ended the quarter by finding Castillo in the corner for a 3-point, buzzer-beater and an 18-16 advantage.

Nasir Meyer had a game-high 26 points for the Chargers, including four 3-pointers, while Miller finished with 15 points.

Meyer’s three in the second quarter tied the game 25-25 before Sonora went on a 10-2 run to close the half. This time Troy Jenkins supplied the 3 before the buzzer sounded to end the half.

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Sonora received great contributions Jenkins, who scored 13 points, including a pair of 3s, and Ernest Love had all nine of his points in the second half.

The Raiders will put their 20-game winning streak on the line Tuesday when they face the Tritons, who are ranked No. 1 in Orange County.

“I’ve been here 34 years and never got 20 in a row before,” Murphy said of the new school record. “It’s just been amazing and we hope we can keep it rolling against the No. 1 team in the county.”

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