St. Bernard boys basketball narrowly defeated Mira Costa 50-48 in a CIF-Southern Section Division 1 playoff game, marked by a controversial finish where St. Bernard players prematurely stormed the court, leading to a last-second attempt by Mira Costa to tie the game.

Why It Matters

The premature court celebration and final play controversy overshadowed St. Bernard's impressive second-half comeback and highlighted the emotional intensity of the game.

By the Numbers
  • Christian Collins finished with 17 points for St. Bernard (14-11)
  • Mira Costa guard Jacob De Armas led the team with 15 points
  • St. Bernard mounted a 16-4 run in the second half to secure the victory
  • Mira Costa held a 25-15 lead at halftime
State of Play
  • St. Bernard advances to the second round and will travel to La Mirada
  • Mira Costa's Achilles' heel of controlling the defensive glass was evident in the game
Bottom Line

The emotional intensity and controversial finish of the game overshadowed St. Bernard's impressive comeback and highlighted the need for better control and sportsmanship in high-stakes basketball playoffs.