The boys of Keppel fall in the CIF State Div. III first round at Maranatha.

PASADENA.–“We knew this was going to be a real challenge,” said Mark Keppel head coach Hung Duong. “We thought if we could stay within 10 points, we’d have a reasonable chance to win.”

And that’s exactly what the Aztecs managed to do for nearly three quarters against host Maranatha on Tuesday. Unfortunately, you gotta play four to win.

With three players at 6-foot-6 or taller and a pair of sharp-shooting guards, the Minutemen took control in the final period and won going away in their first-round matchup in the CIF State Div. III playoffs, 66-44.

“They made their shots when they needed to, and we turned the ball over a lot toward the end,” said Keppel senior guard Jimmy Osorio. “We had a plan – don’t let Clayton [Chin] get inside and keep [Gideomo Manzella] from shooting. We hung in there for most of the game, but they just wore us down.”

In his final high school game, the Gonzaga University-bound Osorio finished with seven points, including a pair of 3-pointers.

Maranatha’s 6’7” center Harrison Harper led all scorers with 19.

Keppel senior Josh Kinoshita was visibly emotional when coming to grips with the end of his prep career.

“It hurts when you know it’s all over. The best of all this has been holding each other up as teammates,” he said. –Mikey Hirano Culross

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