Mission Bay Defeats Kearny to Earn Western League Title

With time running out in Wednesday afternoon’s game at Kearny High School, Mission Bay guard Rodney Henderson flung a shot from near the midcourt line. It went through the net as the buzzer sounded.

“That typified the way the game went. They could have drop-kicked it, and it would’ve gone in,” said Kearny Coach Bill Peterson, whose team had been tied with Mission Bay for first place in the Western League.

The Bucs made 22 of 42 shots from the floor, including their first six attempts in the first quarter.

It helped give Mission Bay a 65-56 victory and the league championship. It’s the first Western title for the Bucs (9-1 in league, 17-5 overall) since 1963.

Henderson and forward John Cheatham each scored 15 points for Mission Bay. Cheatham added eight rebounds and five assists. Brent Chandler had 12 points, 10 of them coming in the first quarter, when he made all 5 of his shots from the floor.

“That’s amazing shooting,” Kearny forward Brad Milhoan said. “If we ever did that, I’d fall down.”

Milhoan led all scorers with 24 points but hit only 11 of 31 shots. Kearny made 26 of 71 shots (35%).

“We planned to take it to ‘em,” Henderson said. “We knew they’d do well in the second half. They’re a strong second-half team.”

Henderson’s scouting report was correct. Kearny ran off a 10-0 spurt to start the second half. But after Milhoan’s jumper made it 41-33, Cheatham and Henderson dropped in two free throws each, and Mike Hemmerly hit a jumper. It gave the Bucs a 47-33 lead with 1:42 in the third quarter. Kearny never got closer than five in the fourth quarter.

Steve Daley, who had 9 points, led the smaller Komets with 18 rebounds before he fouled out.

“Kearny didn’t get their record (8-2, 17-7) by being overpowered,” Mission Bay Coach Mike Seaman said. “They’re a very quick team, and their big players are tough around the boards.”