GARDEN GROVE LEAGUE BOYS’ BASKETBALL : Pacifica Commits 27 Turnovers but Wins in Overtime

Despite committing 27 turnovers that were partially responsible for Coach Rhett Heckel’s headache after the game, Pacifica High School pulled out an 85-80 overtime victory over visiting Garden Grove Thursday night.

The victory moved the Mariners (13-6, 9-2 in league) to within a half-game of league-leading Kennedy (9-1), which plays host to Santiago tonight, and dropped Garden Grove (11-10, 7-4) 2 1/2 games behind the Fighting Irish with three games remaining.

It was the second time Pacifica has defeated the Argonauts in a close game this season. The Mariners won the first meeting at Garden Grove, 80-79, on Jan. 11. Garden Grove almost returned the favor Thursday, but could not quite capitalize after forcing the game into overtime tied at 76.

The Argonauts had an 80-77 edge 1 minute 20 seconds into the three-minute overtime after two free throws by guard Gilad Tal, but Pacifica’s 6-foot-5 senior center, Kevin Gaughen, tied the score with a three-pointer from the left side of the key with 1:29 left.

Garden Grove never scored again. The Mariners iced the game on a jumper by forward Scott Lesser a minute later, a free throw by guard Larry Nagata and two free throws by Lesser with one second remaining.

Gaughen (30 points) and Lesser (23 points) had given Pacifica the upper hand in the first half.

The Mariners jumped to a 14-5 lead with 4:57 left in the opening quarter on 11 points by Gaughen, a couple by Nagata and one by Lesser. Gaughen scored the first nine points for the Mariners, including a three-pointer to open the scoring.

Pacifica led, 24-19, after one quarter and, 40-35, at the half, before forward Mark Perry brought Garden Grove back with 10 of his 33 points in the third period as the Argonauts closed the gap to 59-58 after three quarters.

Heckel was disappointed with his team’s poor ballhandling.

“Until we get rid of the turnovers, we can’t be a real good team,” he said.