Chadwick Unravels, Drops Out of Playoffs to Brethren, 58-57

Chadwick’s path to the CIF 1-A basketball playoffs took a disastrous detour Wednesday night in the final two minutes of a wild-card game with Brethren.

The Dolphins, who appeared on their way to a first-round berth after taking a nine-point lead with 1:53 left, were outscored 10-0 as visiting Brethren pulled out a 58-57 win on D’Andre Brown’s free throw with four seconds remaining.

Chadwick (13-11) missed three one-and-one free-throw opportunities in the final two minutes.

It was a frustrating season ending for the Dolphins, who had rallied from a 29-24 half-time deficit to lead most of the second half. They grabbed their biggest advantage at 57-48 on two free throws by guard Wenny Miao with 1:53 left.

That’s when Brown, a 6-5 center, and forward Mike Coffin took over for Brethren. The seniors combined to score all 18 of the Warriors’ fourth-quarter points, including a three-point shot from the base line by Coffin that tied the game, 57-57, with 48 seconds left.

After Coffin rebounded a missed one-and-one by Charlton Jackson with 35 seconds left, Brethren worked the ball inside to Brown, who was fouled from behind by sophomore center Larry Williams.

Brown missed the first free throw, but, after a Chadwick timeout, he sank the second to send Brethren (15-8) to a first-round game with St. Bonaventure on Friday night.

Coffin led all scorers with 23 points, followed by Brown with 22. Guard Mike Faller paced Chadwick with 21 points, including three three-point shots.