Fairfax moves on as Etiwanda falter at free-throw line

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The final score -- 66-54, Fairfax beats Etiwanda -- doesn’t tell the whole story.

The visiting Eagles, seeded sixth in the Division I Southern California Regionals, missed a big chance to beat the third-seeded Lions because they missed too many times at the free-throw line.

Etiwanda (31-3) shot 19 free throws against Fairfax, but only made nine. Only once did the Eagles make both free throw attempts, and only once did they make the first of two free-throw attempts. Their lone one-and-one attempt? Of course, they missed the first free throw and didn’t get a chance at the second.

Fairfax trailed at the half, 26-24. But once the Lions regained the lead in the third quarter, they never gave it back -- in part because the Eagles could not put any pressure on Lions by hitting their free throws.

I’m sure Shaquille O’Neal feels their pain.

-- Mike Terry