FREEWAY LEAGUE : Sunny Hills Wakes Up in Time for a Victory

Sunny Hills High School capitalized on Buena Park’s inability to make free throws in the final quarter and scored 12 consecutive points down the stretch for a 61-50 Freeway League victory Wednesday night at Fullerton.

Buena Park (10-7, 2-1 in league) controlled the tempo and outrebounded Sunny Hills for 3 1/2 quarters before wilting. Buena Park made only three of 10 free throws in the fourth quarter and missed the front end of three one-and-one opportunities.

Sunny Hills (12-4, 3-0) took only its third lead of the game, 49-48, when forward David Ragsdale scored on a bank shot. The Lancers increased their lead to three points when Ragsdale stole a pass and made a nice pass to teammate Kenny Overby for a layup.

Sunny Hills center Brett Mitchelson, who appeared lethargic and uninspired for three quarters, also came alive in the fourth. Mitchelson scored six of his 14 points in the quarter, including two baskets in the final two minutes to seal the victory.

Buena Park started quickly, opening an 11-5 lead, and increased its advantage to 29-20 midway through the second quarter behind the play of forward Angel Barrios. Barrios had 11 points in the first half and finished with 15 points and 13 rebounds.

Barrios’ jump hook with 4:24 remaining in the half gave Buena Park a nine-point lead, but the junior managed only one more basket the rest of the game. Richard Harvey added 14 points and 14 rebounds.

“Our free-throw shooting (seven of 20) was the difference,” said Ed Matillo, Buena Park coach. “I thought we controlled the game until the end.”

Sunny Hills made seven of 12 shots and all six of its free throws in the final quarter, outscoring Buena Park, 21-9, but Lancer Coach Steve White still was upset.

“I could see this coming,” White said. “The kids have been talking Fullerton for two days. It’s nice to get a win when you’re down like that, but geez, that was sloppy.”

In other league games:

Fullerton 71, Troy 57--Craig Olsen scored 25 points and Chris Hartshorn 15 for host Fullerton (10-7, 3-0).

Sonora 83, La Habra 61--Andy Lanham had 20 points for visiting Sonora (3-13, 1-2).