Boys’ basketball: La Canada wins Division 3AA title

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Dario CiVon made two free throws with 12.6 seconds left, then caught an outlet pass from Matt Faber after a missed three-point attempt by Price guard Askia Booker and ran out the clock as La Canada pulled off a stunning upset, 50-47, in the Southern Section Division 3AA championship game at the Anaheim Convention Center.

The Spartans (28-3) never trailed and led by eight points midway through the fourth quarter before withstanding a furious Price rally in the final three minutes. Booker’s twisting layup tied it 46-46 with 2:03 left, but La Canada regained the lead on a layup by Sean Mintie with 1:33 remaining.

With the Spartans clinging to a 48-47 lead, Booker stole an inbounds pass but missed a layup on the ensuing fast break. Skylar Spencer missed a follow-up dunk and Booker was forced to foul CiVon with 12.6 seconds left. CiVon made both free throws to give La Canada a 50-47 lead.

Booker’s game-tying three-point attempt was short and fell into the arms of Faber, who lobbed it to CiVon streaking all alone across midcourt. Rather than try a layup, CiVon stayed inbounds and turned back towards his own basket as time expired.

Chance Murray scored a game-high 17 points for top-seeded Price (22-7), which fell short in its bid for an 11th section title in 13 years.

-- Steve Galluzzo