SOUTHERN SECTION BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS : Western Gets Back at Rolling Hills

It took two years for Western High School to get a playoff rematch with Rolling Hills and a chance to erase the ghost of the layup that wasn’t.

Two years ago, Rolling Hills won by a point in the second round when a Western player missed an uncontested layup at the buzzer.

But Friday night, it was Western Coach Greg Hoffman who breathed a sigh of relief. The Pioneers held off a 25-point rally by Rolling Hills in the fourth quarter to advance to the quarterfinals of the 3-AA playoffs with a 79-76 victory.

A desperation 30-footer by Rolling Hills’ Steve Clover--the state record holder for three-pointers in a game (11), season (140) and career (288)--bounced off the front of the rim at the buzzer.

Western will advance to the quarterfinals Tuesday against Estancia. The Pioneers have not reached the quarterfinals since 1965. Western (20-5) was led by forward Robbie Shelton’s 27 points and 17 rebounds. Junior point guard Tom Barraza added 24 points and 10 assists, and guard Sam Sabbara scored 18.

Rolling Hills (16-12) was led by center Roger Hendrix with 32 points and Clover’s 27.

It was Clover who brought Rolling Hills back from a 12-point deficit in the final quarter. Clover’s seventh three-pointer of the game--a 25-footer over two defenders--cut Western’s lead to 77-76 with 19 seconds left.

“Clover is dangerous,” Hoffman said. “Boy, can he fill it up. He gets his shot off in a moment’s notice.”

Hoffman was most impressed with the defensive job Barraza turned in on Clover. Barraza held him to nine-of-22 shooting.

“He’s physically a very average player,” Hoffman said, “but he’s one of those rare individuals who always gets the job done.”

Centennial 39, Foothill 37--Foothill (18-7) took a 9-4 first-quarter lead, but visiting Centennial (12-11) used its quickness to go on an 8-2 run and led the rest of the game.

“Centennial had good quickness and good size,” Foothill Coach Jim Reames said. “Their press hurt us. We played good defense, but couldn’t get our offense going. We made too many mistakes.”

The Knights trailed, 38-30, with 1:32 left, but narrowed their deficit when Centennial faltered at the free-throw line.

Jeff Janis’ two free throws with 10 seconds left pulled the Knights within two points. Foothill rebounded John Brown’s missed free throw with eight seconds to go, but threw the ball away.

Mark Wilkinson led Foothill with 14 points, and Fred Amos added 12 points and 13 rebounds. Damu Hervey led the Apaches with 12 points. Foothill made only 11 of 31 shots from the field and 13 of 27 free throws.