BOYS’ BASKETBALL : Helix Edges Vista in Two Overtimes

Helix Coach John Singer had just chewed out Derrek Henry for not being aggressive enough on the offensive board.

But with a trip to the second round of the San Diego Section Division II boys’ basketball playoffs at stake, Henry made a layup at the buzzer to give Helix a 70-69 double-overtime victory Wednesday night over Vista at Helix.

Although fourth-seeded Helix (19-5) was the favorite, an upset by Vista (9-16) was in the minds of many.

“Everyone looked for an upset,” Singer said. “Our guys persevered. We didn’t know anything about those guys. All we knew is that they shoot the ball. Vista played one hell of a game.”

Helix took six shots at the start of the second overtime before it could break a 64-64 tie.

The Highlanders’ Gary Walton scored with 1:50 left, but George Ashley scored to tie the score again, 66-66.

Helix’s Rey Dukes made a steal with 10 seconds left and passed the ball to Brandon Sanders, who got the it to Henry just before the buzzer.

With 18 seconds remaining in the first overtime, and the score tied at 64, Helix took possession of the ball off a steal by Lloyd Lake. After two missed shots by Helix, Vista’s Chris Johnson called a timeout with three seconds remaining. However, the Panthers were out of time outs and a technical foul was called.

Sanders, who is known for his cool composure at the line in clutch situations and who was four for four from the line during regulation, missed both shots, sending the game into a second overtime.

The score was tied, 60-60, after regulation.

In the first overtime, Lake scored for Helix, and Johnson answered for Vista. After Dukes scored for Helix, Johnson--who finished with 25 points--again tied the score.

Lake had the opportunity twice from the line to pull Helix ahead but missed all four shots.

With 10 seconds remaining in regulation and the score tied at 58, Lake, who led Helix with 26 points, made the steal and passed off to Sanders who missed the shot but was fouled.

Sanders, at the line with four seconds remaining, made both shots to give Helix a 60-58 lead.

Vista’s Dave Enger passed the ball down court to Jason Barnes who scored at the buzzer, sending the game into overtime.