Hart Rides 27-2 Run to Low-Key Win Over Alhambra

The unusual thing about Thursday night’s Foothill League basketball game between Hart High and Alhambra was that nothing unusual happened.

The game was not played under protest.

The visiting locker room was not without lights.

There were no bloodied players searching the gym for a towel.

Unlike past renewals in the emotional series, the most unusual thing about this game was the final score--Hart 93, Alhambra 65.

“I’ll bet if you added the scores from the previous five years I’ve been here,” Hart Coach Greg Herrick said, “I’ll bet the difference of all those games wouldn’t have been 28 points.”

The game followed that pattern for three quarters and host Hart (12-9, 4-2 in league play) led by just four points before putting together a 27-2 run in the fourth quarter.

Ali Peek, a 6-foot-5 forward, was called for three fouls in the first 3 minutes 19 seconds, yet finished with 24 points and 16 rebounds.

However, the outside game was key for the Indians as junior forward Matt Steffe scored a game-high 29 points.

“We got perimeter shooting,” Herrick said. “And coupled with our inside game, that’s tough to defend.”

Added Steffe: “When they were triple-teaming Ali inside, he just would just pop it out. And I popped it in.”

Steffe began a 22-0 run with one of his four three-point baskets, making it 72-62 with 5:32 to play. Andy Arriaga followed with another three-point basket.

Alhambra (14-6, 4-2), meanwhile, was on its way to a six-minute scoring drought. Hon Trieu, who had 26 points in the first three quarters, registered only two in the fourth.

Trieu scored 13 third-quarter points to help the Moors reduce an eight-point halftime deficit, and his basket on the first possession of the fourth quarter cut the Hart lead to four points.

“Trieu is a warrior,” said Herrick, who paid a postgame visit to the Alhambra locker room.

“I said, ‘I’m glad I won’t have the opportunity to face you again this year,’ ” Herrick related. “He’s that good. I wish I had him.”

Hart’s biggest lead before intermission was 14 points. The Indians, ahead by a point with 3:48 left in the half, broke loose on a 13-2 run that made it 39-27 with 1:34 left. Alhambra called a timeout and scored the final four points of the half.