Southern California Regionals : Kennedy Runs Out of Miracles : Bakersfield Foothill Leads From the Start and Takes 71-64 Win

The team that would not lose finally did Thursday night.

Kennedy High School’s remarkable run through the boys’ basketball playoffs ended with a 71-64 loss to Bakersfield Foothill in a Southern California Regional Division II semifinal game in front of 2,500 at Bakersfield College.

The magical comebacks fell short, and the shots just wouldn’t drop as they had been for the Fighting Irish. Kennedy (23-8) fell behind to begin the game and never led. Foothill’s lead ranged from 13 points--at its widest--to just 7 late in the game, as the Trojans held off every run Kennedy made.

Foothill advances to the regional final Saturday against San Diego Madison, a 67-64 winner over Woodbridge Thursday night.

For Kennedy it was a tough loss to take, even though the Fighting Irish had gone further than any team in the 24-year history of the school.

Even a 27-point fourth quarter was not enough. Foothill, which entered the quarter with a 48-37 lead, countered with 23 points.

Kennedy couldn’t overcome the similar athletic skills of Foothill or its patient offense. In past rounds, Kennedy had wiped out large point deficits and escaped overtime games with superior talent and a healthy dose of scrappy play.

“We did everything we could do, but we didn’t win the ballgame,” Kennedy Coach John Mayberry said. “How many people thought we would be standing here talking now?

“We knew they had three great athletes, but we thought we could counter with five guys contributing.”

Kennedy also had a difficult burden to bear Thursday.

Lloyd Paxton, a volunteer assistant coach, died Wednesday night of a heart attack, Mayberry said. Paxton--in his 70s, according to Mayberry--had been an assistant at the school for the past five seasons and also coached youth basketball in La Habra. Mayberry said he told the team before they left for the game Thursday morning.

“He was dear to us,” Mayberry said. “It has to be an emotional thing for our kids. We tried to overcome it and I think we did. Physically we were ready.”

Michael Keith, a senior forward, led Kennedy by scoring a game-high 28 points. Keith had seven three-point shots, three in the fourth quarter as he and twin brother Maurice led numerous comeback tries.

Maurice Keith had 17 points, including 10 in the final quarter.

“We have nothing to hold our heads down about,” Michael Keith said.

Afterward, in the Kennedy locker room, the players agreed.

“Great season,” someone said as Michael Keith made the rounds, giving each player a hand shake and a hug.

“The shots just weren’t there,” Keith said. “We didn’t have one lead did we?”

Kennedy didn’t have many rebounds either. Foothill outrebounded the Fighting Irish, 43-30.

Foothill had four players score in double figures.

Archie Wright, a senior forward, shared team-high honors with Reggie Phillips with 17 points.

In the second quarter, when Michael Keith made consecutive three-pointers to bring Kennedy even at 23-23, Wright countered with two three-pointers.

In the second half, Arthur Charles, a senior center who had 15 points, and Phillips made sure Kennedy would not pull out yet another stunning victory.

Charles’ layup in the final minute finished off Kennedy for all intents and purposes.