Chad Ridenour scored 15 points to lead an impressively balanced attack for the San Marcos boys basketball team in a 69-43 domination of visiting Bolsa Grande on Wednesday in the first round of the CIF playoffs.
“If we can get five guys almost in double figures I like our chances… I think a lot of our guys are feeling confident right now,” said San Marcos coach Jarrod Bradley of this year’s playoff quest.
Chad Ridenour goes up for two of his 15 points against Bolsa Grande. (Vince Agapito photos)
The San Marcos student section was relentless until the final buzzer, especially boisterous when JV call-ups got to play the fourth quarter.
Bolsa Grande brought a rooter bus with 50 students, and Matadors coach Scott Snyder said that the school is trying to build up to the Thunderhut’s atmosphere.
“We don’t see that very often. We just travelled 80-something miles and we had 50 students from our school come up, and that’s where I want them to get to — the way [San Marcos fans] were,” he said.
The Royals’ significant physical advantage was apparent early on, as Christian Mkpado had two monstrous blocks in the first quarter and picked up two more along the way before coming out for good in the third quarter. He also pulled down eight rebounds to go along with nine points.
Next up for No. 12 San Marcos (18-9) is a road game at fifth-ranked Hacienda League champion Bonita in La Verne.
SAN MARCOS 69, BOLSA GRANDE 43
BOLSA GRANDE — Tran 8, Salgado 6, Viramontez 11, De los Santos 2, Baumbach 2, Sanchez 14. Totals 17 4-14 43.
SAN MARCOS — Manzo 5, Mann 3, Johnson 2, Hempy 10, Mkpado 9, Ridenour 15, Ridgway 2, Vasquez 9, Wheelcock 5, White 9. Totals 23 18-31 69.
Bolsa Grande…7 10 9 17 — 43
San Marcos…16 24 19 10 — 69
3-point goals — BG 5 (Tran 2, Sanchez 2, Viramontez 1), SM 4 (Ridenour 2, Vasquez 1, Wheelcock 1). Total fouls — BG 29, SM 18. Fouled out — BG Sanchez, Clark. Technicals — Sanchez.
The large and rowdy student section cheer their Royals on to victory.
