Boys’ basketball: La Verne Lutheran holds on for win
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La Verne Lutheran pulled out a 52-50 victory over L.A. Windward in the Division V boys’ regional final at Colony.
Carl Cooper’s three-point play with 23.1 seconds left gave Lutheran the lead. Wesley Saunders tried to win it for Windward in the final seconds, but his shot didn’t go.
Lutheran held a 48-43 lead, but Nicholas Stover’s three-pointer with 1:53 left cut it to 48-46. Saunders tied the game at 48-48 with two free throws with 1:10 left. Saunders put Windward on top, 50-49, with 30.6 seconds left on a basket.
Lutheran’s talented young players are starting to grow up. Freshman point guard Eric Cooper had a critical three-point play and added a three-point basket. Sophomore Grant Jerrett was taking charge inside. Junior guard Bruce English had 17 points and Carl Cooper 13.
It was a frustrating game for Saunders. Close shots were not falling, and he missed five free throws. He had 17 points and Stover had 14.
-- Eric Sondheimer