LOMPOC - Defense wins championships?

Sometimes, but Saturday night at Huyck Stadium the Lompoc Braves were glad they brought their offense with them, winning a CIF Division X football semifinal 40-33 over Serra Gardena.

The victory puts Lompoc in the finals this coming Friday against Morningside Inglewood. The Braves, having earlier won a coin flip with Morningside, host the final at Huyck. Morningside beat St. Joseph 20-17 in the other semi Friday night in Inglewood.

Lompoc goes on with an 11-2 record while Serra is done at 9-4.

Lompoc finally put it away with an offensive foray that started at the Brave three at the four-minute mark. Fullback Jeremey Signorelli's 40-yard run moved the ball into Serra territory. Shortly thereafter, Brave quarterback Boo Jackson was taking a knee and the Lompoc faithful were shaking their heads in relief and amazement.

Trailing 27-25 to start the second half, the Braves took the third-quarter opening kickoff and drove 79 yards on seven plays, using David Gaspar, Jackson and Armando Gutierrez runs and a Jackson-to-Donald White 20-yard pass. Jackson scored from the 10, Gutierrez making the extra to give Lompoc a 32-27 lead.

The Cavaliers came right back, going 80 yards, mostly on the ground, in 11 plays. Ryan Kelley crossed on a fourth and goal from the three. The try for a points-after pass failed, leaving Serra ahead 33-32.

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Lompoc responded with a 65-yard drive in 16 plays, Signorelli catching a five-yard TD pass from Jackson, then Gaspar going in for two extras on a run, making it 40-33 with 6:55 left.

The first half was even more back-and-forth.

The Cavaliers drove 87 yards in 12 plays to score the first touchdown, halfback Kelley scoring from the three. Kelley wound up with 27 carries for 176 yards.

Lompoc then went 80 yards in seven plays, getting a 26-yard field goal from Armando Gutierrez.

Serra came right back, Darren Minor going 96 yards for six points with a kickoff return.

Lompoc went electric as Armando Gutierrez and quarterback Boo Jackson hooked up on a 70 yard TD pass play.

Soon after the next kickoff, Lompoc's Justice Clegg covered a Serra fumble. Gutierrez went 12 yards for the TD and ran for two extras, putting the Braves up 18-14.

But Serra was not to be stopped. The Cavs drove 53 yards in six plays, quarterback Terry Wilson going over from the one, though Robert Munoz point-after kick was blocked, leaving things 20-18.

It was Lompoc's turn again. Jackson scored from on a 22-yard run to cap a four-play 66-yard offensive, the Braves leading 25-18 after Gutierrez PAT.

Near the midpoint of the second quarter, Wilson finished yet another Cavalier drive, from the 13. Munoz' kick brought things to their 27-25 pass.

Girls basketball

SJ 46, Liberty 43

ATASCADERO - Behind almost throughout, St. Joseph rallied late to nip Liberty of Bakersfield and square its record at 1-1.

The Knights trailed 17-6 at the end of the first quarter.

Jenelle Conklin led the Knights with 14 points. Jocelyn Norris put in 10 for Liberty.

Lompoc Varsity Tournament

SB captures crown

LOMPOC - Santa Barbara High School won the championship at the Lompoc Varsity Tournament with a 69-47 victory over Garces of Bakersfield.

Dos Pueblos defeated host Lompoc, 67-48, to claim second place in the round robin tournament.

San Luis Obispo defeated Cabrillo, 53-41, to wrap up third place.

Boys basketball

Santa Maria 79, Templeton 45

MORRO BAY - Jose Basulto and Fred Smith led the Santa Maria Saints to their first win of the season, a 79-45 victory over Templeton. Basulto scored 17 points and Smith 14 to pace the Saints (1-3).

The victory eanred Santa Maria seventh place in the annual Morro Bay Tournament.

The Saints host the Righedtti Warriors on Tuesday in a non-league matchup.

Boys soccer

Atascadero 0, Cabrillo 0

Atascadero 1, Lompoc 0

The Atascadero Greyhounds traveled to Lompoc for an unusual Saturday doubleheader.

December 7, 2003