Centennial's Harrison Hawkins (left) and Deonte Burton play tough defense vs. Gahr. (Tracey Roman/for the Press-Telegram)
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Burton throws in 34 for Centennial
By Brian Baiotto
The Long Beach Press-Telegram
Posted: 03/13/2010 10:21:54 PM PST
Centennial High was going to play for the CIF Division III State title if it was the last thing that Deonte Burton did.
Burton scored a game-high 34 points to lead the Apaches to an 83-77 victory over visiting Gahr on Saturday night.
Burton hit three 3-pointers and went 12 of 12 from the free throw line, but it was when he scored that made Burton's night so special.
Every time a valiant Gladiators (27-6) team made a run, Burton was there with a daggar.
"I felt like I had to go to the ball all night and I'm so happy I to have helped us get to the title game," Burton said.
"Our free throw shooting is something we depend on and work very hard at, and we needed every free throw we hit tonight."
The Apaches converted on 25 of 28 free throws, while Gahr made just 15 of 30.
Davon Potts scored 18 of his team-high 24 for Gahr in the second half. Potts had a remarkable fourth quarter where the forward scored 10 points to bring the Gladiators within one point on two different occasions.
Ervin Ware scored 19 for the Gladiators, and Josh Perkins added 10.
Harrison Hawkins was huge for the Apaches with 16 points, including a 9 of 10 effort from the free throw line.
Kurt Davis scored 17 points for Centennial and David Turner and Keith Smith chipped in with 6 points apiece.
Javonte Sales had 8 points for Gahr, while Anthony Martines and Charles Nebo had seven points apiece.
Said Burton: " We practiced all year at handling a tough pressure defense and it prepared us so wel tonight against a great Gahr team."
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