St. Francis, after a one-sided loss Feb. 12 in a West Catholic Athletic League playoff opener, had a 9-16 record. But that seems like a long time ago.
Friday night the happy Lancers hoisted the Central Coast Section Division II trophy and mugged for photos after beating Willow Glen 56-46. The victory at Santa Clara High was the third consecutive for the Lancers and sends them to the Northern California Division II playoffs, rarefied air after a seventh-place WCAL finish.
Meantime, a 20-plus win season has ended for Willow Glen (22-7).
"We went 5-5 in pre-league and 4-10 in the WCAL and lost in the first round (of the league playoffs)," said guard Khalid Johnson who scored 15 points. "We had our ups and downs, but this meant a lot right here. It's an amazing feeling. I can't even explain it in words right now."
St. Francis coach Mike Motil had no such problems.
"It's great for the kids," Motil said. "CCS is an area tradition. The kids get to put a banner up in the gym, so it's great for the kids. They love it. They're absolutely loving it."
Johnson came out sizzling, scoring eight first-quarter points -- including two 3-pointers -- as the Lancers (12-16) seized a 20-12 first quarter lead. The quick senior guard had a trio of 3-pointers in the game which, added with the five he made in a semifinal victory against Leigh, gave him eight in one week at Santa Clara High.
Not even the large and vociferous Willow Glen cheering section could rattle the cool Lancer.
"I don't know what it is about this gym," Johnson said. "I just feel like I can't miss in this gym. I don't think any of feel like we can miss. If we could play here more often, we might do some damage in NorCal."
Willow Glen shot just 30 percent in the first half (6-of-20) and 32 percent for the game (14 of 44) against the aggressive Lancers.
St. Francis had no such difficulty finding the bottom of the net, shooting 45 percent (18-of-40) for the game 9-of-18 from three-point range. Willow Glen made just 2-of-21 from beyond the arc.
"We're playing good basketball," Motil said. "We're playing defense and we're making shots."
Willow Glen scored the first two baskets of the second half to pull within 31-26. But Mike Lauck then ripped off five consecutive points for St. Francis which led 42-31 after three quarters. Lauck scored nine of his game-high 17 points in the second half.
The Rams did manage to trim the deficit to 50-41 with 3:11 left in the game after a three-pointer by Cooper Wilson and two free throws by Mikey Riley. But a layup by Johnson and a layup by Lauck off an assist by Johnson bailed the Lancers out.
R.J. McCune led Willow Glen (22-7) with 16 points and Taylor Meeker added 13.
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John Murphy may be reached at jmurphy@Prep2Prep.com.
