Palmdale Wright on the Mark

LANCASTER —  Maurice Wright scored only nine points before fouling out of a second-round playoff game three days earlier, so the Palmdale High guard decided to make up for it Tuesday night.

And he did. The 6-foot senior led the Falcons to an 81-64 victory over Buena in the quarterfinals of the Southern Section Division I-A playoffs at Antelope Valley High.

Wright scored 26 points, scoring on a series of breakaway layups and fancy jump shots.

“Today I knew I had to get back focused and thinking,” Wright said. “I had to get things going so I calmed down and took control.”

Palmdale, which won its 16th in a row, took over from the start. The Falcons (24-3) jumped out to a 14-0 lead and outscored Buena, 20-9, in the first quarter.

Two minutes into the second quarter the Bulldogs (16-11) went on a 10-2 run that brought them to within five, but Palmdale never gave up the lead.

The Falcons were ahead, 40-31, at halftime and 65-48 at the end of the three quarters.

Buena had a difficult time keeping up with the Falcons’ fast-paced offense.

“We knew they were quick and that they got up and down real good,” Buena Coach Glenn Hannah said. “That’s what they did tonight.”

Buena tried to slow the Falcons with a full court press that proved ineffective. With 4:06 left to play, Palmdale was ahead, 80-51.

“I think our quickness really hurt them,” Palmdale Coach Garry Phelps said. “I still think it was a ragged game. We were not focused and we were not moving our feet as well. I’m not real happy with the way we played.”

Hannah, Buena’s Jon Kaplan and Palmdale’s Erick Bridge each were assessed a technical foul. The calls had no effect on the outcome, however.

Wright was complemented by point guard Jerome Payton, who scored 18 points to give the Falcon backcourt 44 points.

Forward Al Lairson added 13 points.

Buena was led by David Nutting and Robbie Knight, who each scored 17 points. Wade Hall had 10 and John Tobias added eight.

Poor shooting and turnovers hurt the Bulldogs, who had eight turnovers in the first quarter alone.

“Hey we made a lot of turnovers too,” Phelps said. “But I think we also created a lot with our press.”

Palmdale, past the second round for the first time, will play Edison in the semifinals Friday at a site to be determined. Palmdale beat Hart and Temecula Valley in the first two rounds. Edison defeated Orange, 63-53, Tuesday night.