Thompson sets one record, ties another in Division III victory

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Klay Thompson didn’t let the game of his life go to waste in the boys’ Division III final at Arco Arena in Sacramento.

Thompson, a 6-6 senior guard for Santa Margarita, scored 37 points to lead the Eagles to a 72-55 victory over Sacramento. Thompson tied the Division III state scoring record set by Craig McMillan of Cloverdale. McMillan, now the men’s basketball coach at Santa Rosa Junior College, scored 37 points in 1983, then went on to star at Arizona.

Thompson, who signed with Washington State, probably could have broken the record, but he left the game with 36 seconds remaining. He did break the state championship three-point mark, hitting on seven-of-11 attempts. The previous mark was shared by three players, including Tracy Murray of Glendora, who has the all-time state scoring record of 64 points, achieved in 1989.

Thompson also overshadowed a great game by Sacramento junior guard Chase Tapley, who finished with 35 points, but he needed 30 shots, compared to 22 for Thompson. Tapley had a team-high nine rebounds and four steals.

But Thompson (pictured from an earlier game this season) had better players around him, as Zack Zaragoza contributed 13 points and Trayce Thompson, Klay’s brother, and Jaime Serna each pitched in eight points.

No other player scored more than four points for Sacramento.

-- Dan Arritt

-- Image by Lori Shepler / Los Angeles Times