Benicia High Boys Basketball Defeats Berean Christian 76-67

The Benicia High School boys basketball team secured a 76-67 victory over Berean Christian in a competitive match held on March 15, 2024. This game reflected the season’s highs and lows for Benicia, showcasing their potential alongside moments of inconsistency. A decisive 16-8 run in the third quarter ultimately provided the Panthers with the edge they needed to clinch the win in this Diablo Athletic League contest.

“We came out here slow; that’s kind of the theme right now,” said Benicia assistant coach J.J. Andaya. “At the end of the day, it wasn’t the best win, but a win is a win.” The Panthers had initially appeared to control the game, but a late surge from the Eagles kept the pressure on. Berean Christian, with a record of 10-9 (2-7), managed to narrow the gap in the final moments, but missed opportunities, including a crucial shot by Nick Kullman, allowed Benicia to maintain their lead.

Junior Kobe Clinton emerged as a standout for the Panthers, scoring a team-high 14 points and securing eight rebounds. His performance was crucial for the team, particularly in the dying moments of the game when he made two free throws to extend their lead to 75-65 with just 18.3 seconds remaining. Andaya praised Clinton’s versatility, stating, “He does everything for us. He rebounds, he shoots, he passes. If he has a good game, we have a good chance of winning.”

The game began at a rapid pace, with both teams exchanging baskets frequently. Berean’s Carlos Soto initially gave his team an 18-14 lead with an inside shot, but Benicia quickly responded with a 6-0 run to close the first quarter. The Panthers continued their momentum into the second period, leading 43-32 at one point, thanks to a 10-0 scoring burst highlighted by Clinton’s contributions. As the first half ended, Berean’s Eli Alonzo managed to hit a three-pointer at the buzzer, reducing the deficit to 45-37.

Benicia started the second half strong, with Marcel Brisco and Jordan Maravilla adding to the score, pushing their lead to 51-37. The Panthers’ defense was formidable, limiting the Eagles to just three field goals in the third quarter while dominating the rebounding battle 15-6 during that period.

Overall, twelve different players scored for Benicia, with senior Zach Barnes contributing 12 points and juniors A.J. Oscana and Micah Minter each adding nine points. Meanwhile, Berean’s top scorers included Alonzo, who led the game with 20 points, followed by Malachi Nunsuch with 19 points and Kullman with 17 points, collectively making eight three-pointers.

Entering this match, the Panthers held the seventh position in the North Coast Section for Division II and are now set to conclude their regular season with an away game against Ygnacio Valley. Andaya noted the importance of their current standing, stating, “Since we have seven wins in the league now, we automatically qualify for the playoffs. We look at it, but at the end of the day, we just need to play better.”

In the junior varsity matchup preceding the main event, Benicia also triumphed, defeating Berean Christian 73-22.