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SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO — JSerra’s boys basketball team took the court Friday for another Trinity League showdown, but this time without its head coach.
Seniors Aidan Fowler and Sebastian Rancik made sure the Lions passed the challenge.
Fowler sparked a second-quarter run and Rancik returned from illness to make a key block in the final minute to the help No. 2-ranked JSerra defeat visiting No. 3 Santa Margarita 47-39 to even its record in league.
Fowler, a high-energy point guard, scored a game-high 17 points and added four assists for the Lions (17-3, 2-2). Rancik scored a highlight basket at the end of the first half en route to 10 points and blocked a layup with 48 seconds left in regulation to protect a 44-37 lead.
“We always say: good teams are led by coaches. Great teams are led by players,” Fowler said. “We have a lot of seniors on our team and we know how to compete. Even though we do miss Coach Keith (Wilkinson), we do know how to run the show.”
Senior Korin Hull, playing with a wrapped hand, came off the bench to grab seven rebounds for JSerra while freshman Godschoice Eboigbodin grabbed 10 boards. Both forwards also blocked a shot.
The Lions faced their first major test since Wilkinson’s shoe-throwing ejection with officials during a loss at Mater Dei on Jan. 5.
Wilkinson served a mandated one-game suspension Wednesday in a 59-42 victory against No. 16 Orange Lutheran. He accepted an additional five-game ban to make his suspension six total games, the CIF Southern Section announced hours before tipoff Friday.
The sixth-year coach and former USC player also apologized for his behavior with officials.
“I accept full responsibility for my actions, and I apologize for allowing my emotions to get the best of me,” he said in a statement released by JSerra. “I respect the game of basketball, players, coaches, officials, and fans. I want to thank CIF for being patient and hearing my concerns.
“Finally, I want to thank the school president, principal, athletic director, and the JSerra Catholic High School community for their unwavering support.”
Assistant coach C.J. Cooper served as the Lions’ interim coach.
Santa Margarita (15-6, 2-2) forced five turnovers in the opening period and followed seven points from Dallas Washington to lead 11-7 early.
Fowler sparked a 10-0 run the second half erased an eight-point deficit and helped JSerra lead 21-16 at halftime. He capped the second period with a long assist to the Colorado-bound Fowler, who spun in a reverse layup just before the buzzer.
Fowler erupted for 10 points in the third period and opened the fourth with an assist to Ranick for a 3-pointer in the corner. The basket opened a 40-22 but the Eagles made it close behind 10 points in the fourth by senior Jonathan Moxie.
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