HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL ROUNDUP : Poway’s Free-Throw Shooting Sinks Bakersfield

Tough free-throw shooting down the stretch kept Poway an arm’s length ahead of Bakersfield in a Las Vegas Holiday Prep Classic game Saturday in Las Vegas.

Poway defeated Bakersfield, 59-56, and will meet the winner of the Morningside (L.A.) and Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) game at 9 a.m. Monday for fifth place.

The Titans’ (10-3) overcame a 24-7 deficit in the opening minutes of the game, but rebounded with five minutes left before the half to make it a 29-27 Bakersfield lead at halftime.

In the second half, Poway made eight of eight free throws to slowly pull ahead. Justin Kruse (22 points), Todd Fortney (14) and Kyle Milling (14) led the Titans.

Curtis Rufus paced Bakersfield, the defending Central Section Division I champion, with 14 points. Bakersfield has three starters back from its championship season.

Canyon Tournament

Cerritos 81, Vista 72--In Anaheim Hills, Vista senior guard Jason Barnes had a game-high 38 points. But Cerritos countered that with a balance effort: Four of its eight players were in double figures, including Scott Williams (23 points). The Panthers (6-4) will play in the consolation final Monday.

Spartan Classic

Hilltop 49, Crawford 48--In this third-round game, Hilltop won its first game of the season on a 10-foot jumper by Jason Sondels (11 points, eight rebounds) with two seconds remaining. It was the Lancers (1-8) only lead of the game. Crawford (0-8) led, 48-47, with four seconds left, but when it in-bounded the ball, it bounced out of bounds and Hilltop regained possession.

Dan Wallace (12 points) and Jorge Munoz (11 points, four assists) contributed to the Hilltop effort.

San Dieguito 42, Oceanside 38--San Dieguito took only 23 shots, but Oceanside was plagued by turnovers. David Damien led San Dieguito (2-5) with 13 points and nine rebounds. Oceanside fell to 3-6.

Fallbrook 62, Helix 57--Fallbrook advanced to the championship game against Chula Vista with the victory. Lloyd Lake’s 27 points and 14 rebounds paced Fallbrook (9-2). Teammates Chris Miller (21 points, four assists) and Brandon Phillips (17 points) contributed. Helix dropped to 6-1.

Chula Vista 68, Grossmont 62--Jerome Green’s 26 points and Alberto Marzan’s 17 points and 12 rebounds lifted Chula Vista (7-5). Adam Tronerud led Grossmont (5-3) with 16 points.

Pepsi/Sweetwater Tournament

Kearny 70, San Diego 46--Kearny jumped out to a 24-5 first-quarter lead and was never threatened in the championship game in National City. Damion Victor led Kearny with 22 points and Ali Nayab added 13. Travis Nicholls led San Diego (5-4) with 11 points.

Bronco Tournament

Rancho Bernardo 56, Escondido 45--In the championship, Rancho Bernardo leaped to a 35-26 halftime lead and wasn’t threatened thereafter. The Broncos (7-4) placed three players on the all-tournament team, including MVP Kirk Hipple. Bill McMahon and Greg Hanson, also all-tournament picks, scored 24 points and 16 points and had three three-pointers apiece.

Damian Cephas, an all-tournament selection, led Escondido (5-4) with 23 points.

(Burbank) Burroughs 77, Castle Park 62--In the third-place game, Bobby Stanton (18 points), Moses Moreno and Willis Odom (12 points each) paced Castle Park. Phil Hernandez scored 33 points for Burroughs.

GIRLS

Mt. Carmel Christmas Tournament

Carlsbad 46, Mt. Carmel 34--Vanessa Nygaard’s 19 points led Carlsbad to the championship. Jennifer Alley had 13 to lead Mt. Carmel.