FREEWAY LEAGUE BASKETBALL ROUNDUP : Sunny Hills Gains Restless Victory Over Buena Park

Playing its third game of the week, the Sunny Hills High School boys’ basketball team could have used a breather.

Especially because the Lancers were missing their point guard and leading scorer, Dominic Carnesi, who has been declared academically ineligible for the rest of the season.

But Buena Park gave Sunny Hills no respite Friday night, although the Lancers held on to win the Freeway League game, 55-54.

Sunny Hills (9-11, 7-1) also held onto first place in the league standings, a game ahead of Fullerton.

Donyell Collins made a three-point shot with two seconds remaining to bring Buena Park (9-12, 4-4) within one point, But Sunny Hills was able to let the clock run out.

Sunny Hills Coach Steve White said his team played well despite being a bit worn out and without Carnesi, who was averaging about 19 points a game. David Ragsdale scored 22 points, including 12 in the second half when the Lancers were trying to hold a lead.

“I thought what hurt us more than anything else was the brand new rim,” White said. The rim was replaced before the game because of a crack in the support.

Buena Park, also playing in its third game of the week, played without 6-4 forward Richard Harvey and missed his height on the inside.

But the Coyotes hung close in the first half because of the play of Ray Lanier, who scored 22 points in the game, and Gavin Molinar who eached scored in the half. Only one other Buena Park player scored as Sunny Hills led 29-26 at the half.

With 5:30 remaining, P.J. Johnson tied the score, 49-49, with a layup after a length-of-the-court pass from Collins. But Buena Park then went cold and didn’t score again until Lanier drove through the lane and scored with 18 seconds remaining. Buena Park then made a quick steal to set up the three-pointer by Collins, who scored 16 points, 14 in the second half.

In other league games:

Fullerton 65, La Habra 64--Fullerton (9-12, 6-2) gained its fourth one-point victory in eight league games by surviving three free throws by La Habra (7-15, 3-5) in the final three seconds. Mike Lewis, substituting for an injured teammate, missed a free throw with three seconds remaining and then Albert Moreno missed the front end of a one-and-one a second later.

Troy 69, Sonora 52--Visiting Troy took a 21-12 first-quarter lead and was never threatened. Guard Jermaine Butler scored a game-high 21 points for Troy (8-12, 3-5). Point guard Mike Abbott added 15 points.