BOYS HOOPS: Giant effort to start playoffs

Matt Mareno single-handedly outscored visiting San Lorenzo High School in the final quarter to lift Redwood into the North Coast Section Division II boys basketball quarterfinals.

The Giants blew a 19-point lead, but survived for a 68-59 victory over the Rebels on Tuesday. Sixth-seeded Redwood will play at No. 3 Las Lomas on Friday.

"Coach (Steve Compagno) told us 'Defense first' and that's what we did," said Mareno, who had 13 rebounds and five blocks to go with his game-high 28 points.

Kai Drewry scored 15 points and grabbed seven rebounds for the Giants.

Ali Faruqbey and Davon Stewart scored 23 points apiece for the Rebels (13-13).

"We knew what to expect, " San Lorenzo coach Brandon Parks said. "We've seen tape of Mareno, so we knew how good he is. Drewry played really well and Redwood played an aggressive game."

Redwood came out strong in the first quarter, taking a 21-10 lead, including a 9-0 run. That lead blossomed to 36-17 in the second quarter, before Faruqbey and Stewart led San Lorenzo on a 13-0 ride that sliced Redwood's lead to 36-30 to finish the half.

Faruqbey scored five points in the opening minute of the second half, cutting Redwood's lead to just one point. The Rebels took their first lead of the game 81 seconds into the second half as Stewart followed his basket with a free throw for a 38-36 lead.

Redwood quickly retook the lead, but San Lorenzo stayed close. Stewart hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to cut Redwood's lead to 49-46 at the end of the third quarter.

"The game got too exciting there," Compagno said. "We had a (19-point) lead and San Lorenzo came back."

Mareno energized the Giants with a pair of highlight-reel dunks that turned the momentum in Redwood's favor. He scored 15 points in the final eight minutes, compared to 13 for San Lorenzo.

"Our team seems to get excited by offensive thunder," Compagno said. "I get excited by defensive thunder. I'd rather see them make the other team work for their points."

Redwood tightened up its defense to hold off the Rebel attack and keep alive its hopes to win an NCS championship to match the one the Giants won last year.

"There could still be some playoff magic out there," Compagno said.