HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS : Calipatria Catches Bishop’s at Finish : Division V Boys

Agony was replaced by ecstasy Saturday night for the Calipatria High School boys’ basketball team.

After making one field goal and scoring just nine points in the first half, Calipatria stormed back to edge Bishop’s, 52-51, in overtime at Serra High School for the San Diego Section Division V championship.

“We’ve been down before,” said Wallace Williams, Calipatria coach. “We have a lot of pride. We had to play with heart.

“I told them at halftime I didn’t know if we could come back and win, but let’s show some heart.”

The Hornets were down, 27-9, after their dismal first-half performance. All nine points were scored by Robert Romero on a field goal and seven free throws.

Calipatria went to a full-court press all of the second half, forcing the pace, creating turnovers and rattling Bishop’s. And finally, the Hornets started to make a few shots.

They narrowed the gap to 10 points after three quarters, thanks to the shooting of Mike Moss and Romero.

In the fourth quarter, Andrew Zendejas scored seven points to help Calipatria draw closer. Moss hit a three-pointer from the top of the key to tie the score at 42-42 with 4:41 to play.

Bishop’s had a chance to win in regulation when Kamal Assaf was fouled as the final buzzer sounded. He made his first free throw to tie the score, 47-47, but the second attempt rolled in and out, forcing the overtime.

Bishop’s Chris McKenna scored twice in overtime, and Moss and Romero hit two free throws each to keep the score tied at 51-51.

Calipatria took a minute off the clock and, with five seconds remaining, McKenna tried for a steal and fouled Zendejas. The Hornet guard made the first free throw, which was enough to give Calipatria its second consecutive section championship.

“The whole ballgame was on me,” Zendejas said. “I was scared. I just tried to clear my mind. I’m really glad it went in.”

Calipatria advances to the Southern Division playoffs with a 25-4 record. Bishop’s (22-1) could receive an at-large berth.