PREP BASKETBALL ROUNDUP : Sea Kings Win on Rokos’ Layup in Final 2 Seconds

Theo Rokos, Corona del Mar’s senior center, scored with two seconds remaining to give the Sea Kings a 50-48 victory over Savanna in the final of the La Quinta boys’ basketball tournament Friday night at La Quinta High School.

The victory was Corona del Mar’s fifth consecutive after an 0-2 start.

After Savanna’s Jermaine Moore tied the score at 48-48 with 18 seconds remaining on a driving layup, the Sea Kings set up to take the last shot.

Corona del Mar Coach Paul Orris instructed his team to get the ball to Doug Hesse on the wing, and then for guard Jason Clark to drive the lane if Hesse couldn’t get a shot.

Hesse, the tournament’s most valuable player, was quickly double-teamed, and got the ball to Clark. Clark drew three defenders as he went down the middle, and passed off to Rokos alone under the basket. Rokos made the layup, and time expired before Savanna (4-2) could inbound the ball.

Hesse scored 18 for Corona del Mar, and Rokos had 15 points and 10 rebounds.

Hesse had seven rebounds and made five of nine shots from the field.

Savanna’s Tobie Priest scored 28 points, including nine in the fourth quarter, to lead all scorers.

Corona del Mar opened a 31-24 lead early in the third quarter, but Savanna quickly trimmed it to 31-30. Savanna never led in the game, and gained its only tie on Moore’s late basket.