The562’s coverage of Cabrillo Athletics is sponsored by the Cohn Family.
The562’s coverage of Long Beach Wilson Athletics is sponsored by Joel Bitonio, Class of 2009.
The end of the Moore League boys’ basketball season was unforgettable. With the final playoff spot up for grabs, Wilson and Cabrillo ended up playing on back-to-back nights at different gyms to try and extend their season.
After Wilson held on for a win on Thursday night at Browning High School, it forced a tiebreaker the next night at Lakewood. The win at Browning was marred by unruly parents who stormed the floor after the game, and a subsequent skirmish in the parking lot which required a police response.
That off-court drama unfortunately took attention away from the teams and players, but it also drew the attention of casual fans who wouldn’t normally check in on a fourth-place league game.
With a trip to the playoffs on the line, Cabrillo trailed 55-54 with 16 seconds to play. That’s when a foul was called, sending Wilson transfer Lincoln Dean to the free throw line with a chance to put Cabrillo back on top. He made both, and scored 12 of his game-high 24 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Jags to a thrilling 58-55 victory.
“That was the most hard earned win of the year,” Dean said. “This is a bunch of guys that I love. I’m glad we beat them because it makes a statement. And now going to the playoffs, we’re about to make some history.”
Their victory captivated the West Side, as they went on a historic playoff run to blaze a new trail for their program. Following their win over Wilson to clinch fourth place in the Moore League, the Jags celebrated just outside their locker room, yelling and dancing along to Meek Mill’s “Dreams and Nightmares.” That clip was viewed almost 100,000 times on Instagram, getting 765 shares in Long Beach and beyond.
Coached by Jordan High alum Chris Spencer, the Cabrillo Jaguars hit a new level in 2024, and have no plans of letting up. They certainly grabbed the attention, now let’s see what they do with it.
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