Bonita Corrals Mustangs, 69-42

Bonita sends out Erik Woodruff and Casey Horine to center court before the start of the game.

From the opening tip to the last free throw, Bonita was in control, corraling the Walnut Mustangs, 69-42, on the Bearcats home court Wednesday night.

Bonita started the game on an 8-0 on a put back by Garrett Horine, a three-pointer by James Northup and another three by C.J. Miller who went on to lead all scorers with 19 to go with his seven rebounds. At the end of the first quarter, Bonita led 14-4

After a cold first period, Walnut began to find the range in the second and closed the second half trailing by only 8 points, 28-20. “They pushed us around in the second quarter,” Bonita Coach Greg Eckler said about the Mustangs, who came into the contest with an 11-9 record.

In the third quarter, Walnut edged even closer, 30-26, before Bonita woke up and went on an 11-1 run, much of it triggered by the Horine brothers, Garrett converting an easy layup after Bonita broke Walnut’s full-court press and Casey collecting a steal and scoring and then hitting a jumper on his next trip down the floor. Meanwhile, Miller and Northup kept knocking down shots and Bonita gradually pulled away to lead 54-29 at the end of three.

In the fourth quarter, both teams emptied their benches and closed out the game with 69-42 victory.

“We started a little iffy in the third, then we started taking care of the ball, and getting some really good looks and guys finishing,” Eckler said. “That was the big difference.”

Miller turned in his usual stellar performance. “He had a lot of good looks inside,” Eckler added. “A lot of good footwork, some nice post-ups and mid-range 8-footers. He was under real good control tonight.”

Garrett Horine had five rebounds to go with his 11 points. “He did a real good job on the offensive glass,” Eckler noted.

Northup finished with 16 points.

Bonita faces Charter Oak on Friday at 7 p.m. at home in what is expected to be a close contest.