COLLEGE BASKETBALL GLENDALE TOURNAMENT : Rosas Gives Valley Reason to Shout With Clutch Effort

Freshman center Joey Rosas of Valley College quietly went about his business for nearly 40 minutes Thursday night. But when his work was done, he let out a yell of exultation that was more than two years in the making.

Rosas, who returned to organized basketball this season after a two-year hiatus, coolly sank two free throws with 40 seconds remaining to lift the Monarchs to a 54-53 victory over El Camino in a first-round game of the Glendale tournament.

“This was definitely my best game in college,” said Rosas, a 1989 graduate of Granada Hills High. “I hope I’ll have more of them.”

So does Valley Coach Jim Stephens, whose 7-5 club used a game-high 18 points from Rosas and a stingy defensive effort to advance to tonight’s 6:30 semifinal against Canyons.

“He (Rosas) did a great job,” said Stephens, who started Rosas in place of the injured Art Kirksey (sore hip). “He (Rosas) has more promise than he realizes.”

Rosas, who left basketball to take a job, decided to return to the sport last summer. He finished Thursday’s game seven of 10 from the field and had six rebounds and four assists. He was supported underneath the basket by forwards Russell Baldwin and Randy Brown, who each totaled eight points and 11 rebounds.

In a game of streaks, El Camino (6-5) overcame a nine-point second-half deficit to take a 51-50 lead on a Troy Williams layup with 3 minutes 35 seconds to play.

After the Monarchs missed successive three-point shots, Baldwin was fouled hauling down a rebound. He sank both ends of a one-and-one at the 1:14 mark.

El Camino regained the lead, 53-52, 14 seconds later on a Zelle Hudson follow shot.

But Valley was up to the challenge as Rosas corralled a missed three-point attempt by Baldwin and was fouled in the act of shooting. Two accurate shots later, Valley held a 54-53 edge. After the second free throw fell through, Rosas let out a loud “Yes!” that could be heard throughout the gym.

“They hit their free throws down the stretch and that was the game,” said El Camino Coach Paul Landreaux, whose club was without the services of starting forward Michael Reynolds (flu). “We had a chance.”

El Camino failed to score on two final attempts, including a half-court shot by Williams that hit the backboard and bounced off the rim at the buzzer.

Nate Hall added 10 points and Shane Bright contributed five points and five assists for Valley. Mark Johnson and Hudson scored 14 each for El Camino.

Canyons 97, Edwards AFB 89--The Cougars let a 25-point second-half lead dwindle to five in the closing minutes before holding on to win.

Cougar sophomore Marquis Wilborn finished with 25 points. Jeff Dorst and Jason Joynes scored 15 points each and Mike Basowski added 11 for Canyons (9-3).

Donnie White led all scorers with 31 points for Edwards (13-12). White hit back-to-back three-point baskets to pull Edwards to within five, 90-85, with 1:17 to play.

In today’s second semifinal, host Glendale will meet Harbor at 8:15 p.m.