Orange County Sports / Prep Basketball : 3-A PLAYOFFS : Tustin Holds Off La Quinta on Parker’s 11 Consecutive Points

Leo Parker, Tustin High School’s center, scored 11 consecutive points in the final 3 1/2 minutes Friday night to lead the Tillers to a 65-57 win over La Quinta in the opening round of the Southern Section 3-A division boys’ basketball playoffs at Tustin.

Parker’s scoring spurt helped the Tillers hold off a fast-charging La Quinta team that led only once in a physical and spirited game. Tustin (21-5) will meet Bonita (14-11) in the second round on Tuesday night.

The tone of the game was set early in the first quarter when La Quinta guard Kenny Bennett shoved Parker, knocking the 6-foot 6-inch center to the floor. Bennett drew a technical foul. Tustin’s Brad Cantrell was then whistled for a technical foul when he shoved Bennett after players from both teams had apparently been calmed down.

The incident fired up Tustin, as the Tillers raced to a 10-1 lead in the first quarter before La Quinta got untracked. Tustin maintained a lead through three quarters of play, but La Quinta took its only lead of the game, 50-48 with 7:11 remaining when Bennett drove the length of the court and scored.

A minute later, Parker went to work. He made a free throw to push the Tillers ahead, 51-50, and then scored four consecutive baskets and two free throws on a variety of turnaround bank shots and drives through the lane.

Parker’s turnaround bank shot with 1:09 remaining gave Tustin a 61-55 lead, and then guard B. LeSean London sealed the win with four free throws.

Any designs of a La Quinta upset were hurt by some poor free-throw shooting. La Quinta (17-8) made only 9 of 21 free throws; Tustin was 14 of 20 from the line.

“We make four free throws in the last couple of minutes, and we win the game,” said Jim Perry, La Quinta coach. “Parker was the difference. We had a guy right in his face on every shot in the last quarter, and he didn’t miss.

“I don’t think he took a shot the whole game where he wanted to. We did a great job preparing for this game and played great defense.”

Parker led all scorers with 23 points and had 14 rebounds. Teammate Dylon Stieler added 15 points, but the Tillers hardly looked like the third-seeded team in the division.

“We’re going to need more scoring from our other players or we’re in trouble,” said Tom McCluskey, Tustin coach. “Leo didn’t get much help, but he sure made the big plays when we needed them.”