Free Throws Lead Way for Faith Baptist, 67-52

Faith Baptist High basketball Coach Stuart Mason did not need to philosophize Tuesday night on how his team defeated Calipatria, 67-52, in the opening round of the Division V Southern California regional tournament.

He knew, as did most observers, that simple arithmetic at the free-throw line told the whole story. Faith Baptist converted 23 of 31 free throws, while its opponent was zero of seven.

“We had some players who were feeling a little sick tonight,” Mason said. “We just tried to capitalize on anything they gave us. Our kids played their hearts out.”

Surprising Faith Baptist (20-10), which defeated Brethren, 65-59, in overtime Friday night to win the Southern Section 1-A championship, will play at Ribet Academy at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the semifinals. Calipatria, the San Diego Section Division V runner-up, finished the season 21-5.

Calipatria was smaller and slower than Faith Baptist, yet the Hornets stayed close for much of the game. In fact, they pulled ahead of the Contenders, 40-38, early in the fourth quarter on forward Javier Vega’s layup.

Faith Baptist responded with a three-point bomb from sophomore guard Darren Wyre and never trailed again.

With the Contenders’ normal scoring leaders--sophomores Alex Estrada and Peter Rasmussen--slowed by the flu, Wyre increased his average by making four three-points shots in the second half on his way to a game-high 21 points.

Estrada, a 5-foot-8 guard, finished with 13 points, and Rasmussen, a 6-foot-6 center, added 15. Junior forward Fernando Garcia had 12.