Boys’ basketball: Perris sets the pace in first half

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Haven’t seen Hemet West Valley or Perris play this season, but must admit, the Southern Section Division III-A championship game between the two programs this morning at the Honda Center in Anaheim has been entertaining thus far.

Perris leads the back-and-forth battle, 40-37, at intermission. But the Panthers had better keep an eye on Eric Lawton in the second half. This kid can play and how he does from here on out figures to be the deciding factor in whether the Mustangs prevail.

The 6-foot-1 junior guard had a big-time dunk, followed up by a 3-pointer just before halftime. He finished with 14 points in the first 16 minutes and appears poised for a big second half.

--Sean Ceglinsky