PREP BASKETBALL : Olympic League Roundup : Orange Lutheran Claims Title : Lancers (11-0) Hold Off Whittier Christian, 80-70

Orange Lutheran High School held off a furious fourth-quarter rally to clinch the Olympic League championship Friday night with an 80-70 victory over Whittier Christian.

Orange Lutheran (18-3 overall, 11-0 in league play) led, 61-47, going into the fourth quarter, but Whittier Christian (15-6, 8-3), led by Paul McKinley’s 12 fourth-quarter points, closed to within 1 at 71-70 with 2:31 remaining in the game.

But Orange Lutheran made 7 of 8 free throws in the game’s final minute for the victory. Jason Neben’s slam dunk, off an alley-oop pass by Daryl Cole at the buzzer, punctuated the winning moment for the Lancers.

“Oh! After 4 years of basketball, this is the BEST,” Neben said.

For Lancer fans, who stormed onto the La Habra High School court after Neben’s slam, this certainly was a memorable moment.

Orange Lutheran had to settle for a share of the league championship with Whittier Christian last season. And, prior to this season, Whittier Christian had won or shared 7 of the 8 previous championships.

“Two championships in a row, I’d say we’re happy,” said Lancer Coach Jerry Simmons, whose team defeated Whittier Christian in their previous meeting this season, 76-68.

The Lancers were at their best in the third quarter, where they made 10 of 14 shots and outscored Whittier Christian, 25-16. Both teams tried to get their running games going, but Orange Lutheran proved to be the better runner, scoring four consecutive baskets on fast breaks and forcing 6 turnovers with its pressure defense.

But Whittier Christan gave the Lancers a scare in the fourth quarter, pressuring the Lancers with a full-court defense and going on a 17-7 run in the period’s first 4 minutes.

It wasn’t enough though, as the Lancers held their composure enough to hold off the rally.

Neben led the Lancers with 19 points, and teammates Cole (17), Pat Bagatourian (15), freshman Luke Aucoin (11) and Kent Dowding (10) also scored in double figures.

Whittier Christian center Paul McKinley led all scorers with 27 points, but no other Herald player scored in double figures.