PREP BASKETBALL : Southern Section 3-A Playoffs : Cold-Shooting Brea-Olinda Eliminated by Montclair

Brea-Olinda High School shot itself right out of the playoffs Tuesday night as the Wildcats lost to Montclair, 60-54, in the second round of the Southern Section 3-A playoffs at Ontario High School.

The Wildcats made only 17 of 48 attempts from the floor (34%) and failed to score a field goal in the final 5:53.

“We were executing offensively,” Brea Coach Gene Lloyd said. “Normally we’re successful when we’re getting shots like that, but the ball just wouldn’t go down.”

Entering the fourth quarter tied, 40-40, Brea gained the lead at 48-46 after Kevin Walker rebounded a miss and scored. Walker ended with a game-high 23 points.

However, the Cavaliers then scored eight unanswered points, with guards Gary West and J.C. Womack getting four points each. West led Montclair with 20 points, Womack had 16.

When Montclair was building its lead, Brea was losing its cool. Walker, missed a short jump shot in the key. Wildcat guard Eric Jones made a steal and had what seemed to be an uncontested layup before Cavalier center Desmond Scieneaux caught him from behind and blocked the shot.

The Wildcats squandered another opportunity moments later when forward Vincent Francis missed two free throws that would have brought Brea to within two points with 1:25 left.

Interestingly, it was the Wildcats’ free throw shooting that kept them in the game.

The Wildcats made 19 free throws compared to only 8 for Montclair. However, all eight Cavalier free throws came in the final quarter as Brea fouled in desperation.

Brea, which ends the season at 23-5, also was outrebounded by Montclair, 39-28. The Cavaliers will face Nogales in the 3-A quarterfinals on Friday.