Hart Answers Schurr’s Third-Quarter Rally to Win Going Away

Schurr High in Montebello is the farthest stop on the Foothill League circuit for the Hart High basketball team, but Coach Greg Herrick does not seem to mind the trip.

“They have the best band around,” Herrick said Thursday. “I was hoping they would play some dance music after the game tonight.”

Herrick’s wish, however, went unfulfilled.

The band left after halftime and Hart’s offense did likewise for much of the third quarter. But Hart prevailed, 86-63.

Hart improved to 16-6 and 7-1 in league play with two regular-season games remaining, against San Gabriel and Burroughs next week.

The victory put the Indians in contention for their first Foothill League title since 1984.

Schurr, which entered the game tied with Hart for first place, is 10-7 and 6-2.

Hart led, 43-26, at halftime, but Schurr closed to within 51-48 after Scott Higa scored on a layup with 2 minutes 18 seconds left in the third period.

“They were on fire and couldn’t miss in the third quarter,” said Hart forward Marty Downen, who scored a game-high 27 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. “We have trouble keeping leads and they kept the pressure on and kept coming at us.”

The Indians scored the final seven points in the third quarter to take a 55-48 lead into the final period.

“I don’t know what happened,” Herrick said. “It’s going to a look like a blowout, but it was far from it. We got ahead and Schurr played like possessed people. Luckily we made our free throws.”

Hart sank 10 of 14 in the final eight minutes and 26 of 37 in the game.

Hart junior center Ali Peek added 23 points, 14 rebounds and four blocks and forward Keith Halcovich had 16 points and 16 rebounds.

Hart, which made 26 of 51 shots from the field, led, 13-11, with two minutes left in the first period, but scored 10 consecutive points to take a 21-11 lead.

Schurr fell behind 32-24 midway through the second period, but went scoreless for more than three minutes during which Hart increased its lead to 41-24 on a short jump shot by Downen with 1:12 left before halftime.

“We don’t have the league won yet,” Herrick said. “We have some tough games coming up. It’s far from over. I’m not even thinking about it.”