INLAND FIELDHOUSE

I didn’t catch up with the WALDCAST.COM play-by-play of the California Community College Men’s Basketball Final Four game between Riverside and San Francisco City until more than 15 minutes had already expired from the first half.

Here’s what I heard:

“Air-ball City,” for Riverside, said Ronnie Wald. voice of WALDCAST.NET. San Francisco City leads 32-25 with 2:03 on the clock.

Wald uses the word “altruistic” for at least second time, 1:53 left in the first half.

Riverside’s all-conference shooting guard Wayne (Robbie) Robinson is trying to do too much. Tigers are crashing the boards, though, but still trail by seven points.

Riverside freshman point guard Daniel Redmon makes great steal on SFC’s out-of-bounds. Nobody’s making any shots for Riverside. San Francisco City still leads 32-25.

Wald says “so-called gluteous maximus” and “1-and-1 free throws are a test between a player, a basket and a ball.” He can turn an awkward phrase.

Riverside freshman forward Kevin Bradshaw tips back Donovan Buford’s second FT attempt. Bradshaw is going toe-to-toe with anyone from SFC. San Francisco City leads 32-27,

Buford, a freshman guard, drives the lane and gets fouled on what was supposed to be the last play of first half. He makes both free throws. San Francisco City leads 32-29.

Riveride sophomore forward David Norris gets layup at the buzzer on a wild play to end the half. SFC still leads 32-31.

Halftime. Interviews with both coaches to come.

Wald says that when San Francisco City coach “Justin Labagh talks, people listen. Funny. I don’t remember a moment of their interview.

Riverside head coach John Smith:

“We haven’t had a lot of preparation time. Kind of had to do it in parking lot. You gotta have guards. Ours are capable any night. We’re mentally tough. We felt we could make it here with the guards we have.”

Seems he talked to legendary coach Jerry Tarkanian? Tark told him to “Play hard, don’t worry about referees, don’t watch the scoreboard and you’ll get the job done.”

Robbie Robinson announced as member of all-state team. San Francisco City’s Labagh win’s coach of the year.

Stats: Norris (R) 7 points; Bradshaw (R) 6; Buford (R) 6. Riverside shoots miserable 25 percent; 1-of-9 from 3-point range.

“Tigers and Rams. Natural predatory animals,” says Wald to start second half.

Bradshaw and Redmon working back door. Riverside takes its first lead, 33-32

Buford and Calhoun knock down 7-foot jumpshots. Riverside on 4-0 run and now lead by two, 37-35.

SFC gets going and after two FTs take lead 39-38.

Redmon and Bradshaw working well together. Riverside again takes lead, 40-39.

“Act of thievery, somebody call the Fresno police,” says Wald. That phrase seems to be one of his favorites — he’s used it a couple of times already.

Redmon gets steal and bucket. Riverside leads 42-39.

Robinson makes a 3-pointer. Riverside leads 45-39.

The score is 45-42 after SFC gets a three-pointer from Simms.

Riverside’s Calhoun launching threes? Not his game.

“Calfornia bread basket,” Wald says of Fresno.

Smith takes timeout after 5-0 run by SFC. Riverside leads 45-44.

San Francisco City’s Bennie Rose gets a bucket off of steal. SFC takes lead, 46-45.

In-and-out jump-shot attempt from Riverside’s Jovan Bryant. Bryant, a sophomore, is another one of Riverside’s talented guards.

SFC’s Rose then gets a call to go his way. What should have been a charge went against Riverside’s Bradshaw, who stood in his way.

Riverside seems to be getting transistion game going today, although Calhoun blows a layup here.

“Great Riverside defense,” Wald says. Riverside’s coach John Smith needs to hear this.

“They are the Tigers of RCC,” says Wald, who then talks about all the great coaches; Tarkanian, Bill Mulligan, Waxman, Schermerhorn.

Bufurd hits jumper. Riverside leads 47-46.

Riverside still missing shots; Redmon and Buford both miss jumpers.

“Redmon working like a windshield wiper,” said Wald.

Robinson gets pass from Brashaw and puts in 2-pointer. Riverside leads 49-46.

Winner plays Saddleback tomorrow, 1 p.m. at Selland Arena in Fresno.

San Francisco City’s Da’Ron Simms a “great player,” Wald says. Simms gets 3-pointer. Game tied 49-49.

Both teams had “legendary wins on Thursday,” says Wald. Riverside beat then undefeated Fresno. SFC beat San Bernardino Valley in triple overtime.

Norris hits three-pointer as Riverside takes lead back, 52-49.

SFC’s Wright gets a two. Riverside still leads 52-51.

Riverside’s Bryant hits three. Riverside leads 55-51. “Tigers have a four-point pulse,” Wald says.

Bradshaw gets pass from Norris and sinks a “fabulous reverse lay-in” Wald says. Riverside leads 55-63

2:22 left in game. Norris gets a layup. Riverside leads 57-53.

SFC’s Simms gets quick bucket. Score 57-53.

“Riverside earned their stripes,” says Wald. Riverside beat California No. 2 Citrus and California No. 1 Fresno to get to Final Four.

Bradshaw hits baby hook shot. Riverside leads 59-53.

SFC’s Simms keeping team in game with jumper. Riverside leads 59-55.

Calhoun tries another three. In-and-out. Again, not his game.

Inside 1 minute left. :44 seconds remaining.

SFC throws ball out of bounds. Riverside ball.

:30.1 seconds left after SFC fouls Calhoun. Twice.

Calhoun throws ball over everyone. Out of bounds. It’s SFC ball. The Rams are down four points.

Will the turnovers come back to haunt Riverside?

SFC’s Wright gets foul call? How? Bradshaw walks away slowly. Riverside leads 59-57.

SFC fouls on inbound. Bryant to shoot FTs. He’s a great FT shooter and hits both. Riverside leads 61-57.

Norris gets “amazing” rebound after wild three-point attempt from SFC with 8 seconds to go.

Tomorrow’s game a 1 p.m. PDT.

Wald says Norris’ rebound looked like a “cougar going for his prey.”

Riverside hadn’t been to State Finals in eight years.

Norris misses FT and Bradshaw gets rebound. Bradshaw passes to Redmon, who holds on to the ball and the victory.

Riverside defeats San Francisco City 61-57 to advance to their first championship game in 33 years. The Tigers last won championships under Tarkanian in 1964, ’65 and ’66.

John Smith gives RCC Athletic Director Barry Meier a big hug.

Tomorrow’s championship will be an all-Orange Empire Conference affair — Riverside vs. Saddleback.

Riverside head coach John Smith in postgame:

“Almost broke down in the huddle. Give my players all the credit. Stick with our system, stay high-low, and it worked out. A group of special guys. (Jovan) Bryant stepped up. (David) Norris is the glue to our team. David Norris is my man. Both programs (Riverside and Saddleback) have so much respect for each other. So happy for the conference that we can do this.”

Stats:

San Francisco City (??-??) — Da’Ron Simms 9-of-15 FGs, 21 points; Greer Wright 6-of-11, 13 pts.; Chris White 14 rebounds. SFC shot 32 percent in the 2nd half, shooting making only 3-of-19 attempts from 3-point range.

Riverside (29-7) — Bradshaw 25 pts., 9 reb.; Norris 12 pts., 10 reb.; Robinson 9 pts.; Bryant 7 pts.; Redmon 6 pts.; Etah 4 pts. Riverside made only 4-of-17 3-point attempts. Tigers won despite shooting only 31 percent in game.

“They won thanks to their vaunted defense,” Wald says. SFC had averaged more then 80 points-per-game going into the Final Four.

SFC had more rebounds, 49-41.

KEY STAT: Only 11 turnovers for Riverside. The Tigers also made nine more FTs.