SOUTHERN SECTION BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS : Magnolia’s Victory Is a Rough One : 13-Point Lead Vanishes in 63-60 Win Against University

Given the disappointments of seasons gone by, the barking, dog biscuit flinging and dog biscuit eating by supporters of the Magnolia High School basketball team is understandable.

It doesn’t seem all that normal, but it is understandable.

Consider Magnolia’s 63-60 victory at home over University Friday in a first-round game of the Southern Section’s 3-A playoffs.

The game looked like a runaway in the first half with guard Victor Banuelos scoring 16 points on 8-for-8 shooting. The Sentinels led by as many as 13 points midway through the second quarter and led by seven at halftime.

By the end of the third quarter the score was tied at 46-46. With 4:30 left in the game University led, 54-51. And that is what being a Magnolia basketball supporter has meant throughout the years. Tough times; nothing comes easy.

It was only four years ago that the Magnolia varsity went 0-20.

But this season there are yelping fans, an outgrowth of a unrelenting Magnolia defense that has come to be known as ‘Dog Defense.’

And, now the biscuits are falling into place.

That defense contributed to 15 University turnovers and ultimately turned the game in Magnolia’s favor.

After University had gone ahead, 54-51, Magnolia center Mark Lyon made a 15-shot to cut the lead to one. A steal by Banuelos turned into a short jump shot, putting Magnolia ahead 55-54. Seconds later, another Banuelos steal put Magnolia ahead, 57-56.

Banuelos led Magnolia in scoring with 22 points, Lyon added 18 and forward Mike Goff had 17. That’s 57 of Magnolia’s 63 points.

University drew to within one, 59-58, on center Lasse Glassen’s layup with with 54 seconds left. But Goff made both ends of a one-and-one to stretch the lead, 61-58, with 29 seconds left. Lyon sealed the win when he stole a pass with 10 seconds left. Banuelos made two free throws with six seconds remaining to make the final 63-60.

Glassen led University with 21 points. Forward Craig Allton had 15 points, including 7 in the third quarter when University made up a seven-point difference.

The win advances Magnolia to the second round, where they will play Ganesha--the 3-A’s No. 3 seed--a 82-56 winner over Los Amigos in the first round.

It marks only the second time in Coach Al Walin’s 19 years at Magnolia that his team has made it to the second round. Assistant coach Pat Walker was so excited by the whole thing that he brandished a dog biscuit to his team, then ate it.

“This is great,” Walin said. “Four years ago we don’t win a game, there was no one here to watch. Now look at this. This kids are great, our fans are great. We don’t always do it pretty, but when you win it makes it all right. You know, winning is a wonderful thing.”

As the basketball faithful at Magnolia are finding out.