Compton, Calif. – The No. 2 Tartars (27-4) went on an 11-3 run in the last 1:30 to sink the Ventura Pirates, 96-80, in the Southern California Regional Semifinal on Saturday evening.
Sophomore Jayvon Brown led all scorers with 26 points on 53 percent shooting. He added four assists and two steals.
Down by two at halftime at the 48-46 mark, the Tartars opened the second half on a layup by sophomore Kyvonte Davis. The two teams traded the lead and tie scores before sophomore Alonzo Taylor hit a pair of free throws for the go-ahead point for the Tartars.
The Pirates hung around before the final 90 seconds sealed the win. Fitzpatrick counted six of his final 22 points in the final ticks of the clock. He added eight boards, two assists, and three steals in the effort.
The Tartars doubled the Pirates's numbers in the paint with 64 points, while shooting 61.3 percent from the field.
Sophomore DaJion Henderson earned his sixth double-double of the season with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Sophomores Michael Chavers and Kyvonte Davis posted 12 and 10 points, respectively. And sophomore Calvin House led the offense directing efforts with seven assists.
Ventura (18-13) was paced by Ryan Sells' 20 points.
The Tartars will host 10th-seeded East LA next on Saturday, Mar. 4 at 7 p.m. The winner will advance to the CCCAA State Tournament.
ECC Compton Center Notes: Sophomore DaJion Henderson earned his sixth double-double of the season … Sophomore Anthony Fitzpatrick earned his sixth 20-plus point game this season … The team has counted nine 100-plus point games – all wins – with six in conference play … ECC Compton Center is 7-1 at home this season … The team's 27 wins is the most in the common era … The team is No. 1 in the state for total points (2,944), points per game (95.0), field goals made per game (36.0) and steals per game (12.3).