Rec Hoops: Nicholson scores 37, leads District 5 into league final

Justin Nicholson poured in 37 points Wednesday to lead District 5 into the Men’s DD Basketball League finals with a 61-47 victory over the Hawks at Solorsano Gym.
District 5 will take on Hard Ninety on Feb. 13 at 9 p.m. at Solorsano Gym for the winter season championship.
District 5, the second seed in the six-team league after posting an 8-2 mark, jumped to a 37-20 halftime lead. Nicholson contributed 18 points, Eric Tollison seven for the District.
Drew Pearson helped the District 5 cause with nine points. Marshad Johnson led the Hawks with 14 points. Hans Mendezona hit three 3-pointers on his way to 12 points for the Hawks. Rick Holguin added 10 points for the Hawks.
Hard Ninety, the regular-season champion at 9-1, fell behind by eight points early against Recology in the other semifinal before posting a 52-46 win.
Frankie Tomasetti paced the Hard Ninety offense with 19 points. Mark Cisneros tallied 11 of his 15 points in the second half for Hard Ninety.
Brad Pluckhan scored 23 points for Recology. DeVan Owens hit five 3-pointers on his way to 17 points.
Recology, which played without injured center Donny Gooding, trailed 31-22 at halftime.