PROVIDENCE HIGH — Marcus LoVett Jr. and Patrick Gonzalez have led the Providence High boys' basketball team all season. So it seemed fitting that the two players were also instrumental in guiding the Pioneers to their first-ever CIF Southern Section championship game.
LoVett was stellar from the free-throw line and Gonzalez put on a three-point shooting exhibition to pace host Providence to a 74-61 win against Kilpatrick on Friday in a Division V-A semifinal game.
Just a freshman, LoVett led all scorers with 45 points. He converted 22 of his 27 free-throw attempts, including hitting 14 in the fourth quarter. In addition, he sank three three-pointers. Gonzalez, a senior, make good on six three-pointers in posting a 24-point game that included 12 rebounds and eight steals.
"When they double-team Marcus, I just try to help out and get open," said Gonzalez, who led the state in scoring and three-pointers last season. "If I'm open, I take the shot. Shooters shoot."