FREEWAY LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Mann’s Last-Second Shot Gives Sunny Hills Victory

Terry Mann spoiled Sonora High School’s victory party Friday night.

Mann, a versatile senior forward, made a three-point shot at the buzzer to give Sunny Hills an improbable 59-58 victory over host Sonora in Freeway League play.

Sonora, which hasn’t beaten Sunny Hills in eight years, looked like a sure winner when guard Chris St. Clair stepped up to the free-throw line for two shots and his team leading, 57-56, with six seconds remaining.

St. Clair was so sure of a victory that he began celebrating by holding the ball over his head while repeatedly jumping up and down to the delight of the partisan crowd. When St. Clair made his first free throw to push his team ahead, 58-56, there was little doubt Sonora was finally going to end the Sunny Hills hex.

But St. Clair missed his second shot, Sunny Hills rebounded and the ball went to Mann at midcourt. Mann calmly dribbled down the right wing, pulled up near the three-point arc and lofted a shot jumper with about two seconds left to play.

Mann’s shot hit nothing but net as the buzzer sounded and he was instantly mobbed by the Sunny Hills student section. Afterward, Mann said he planned to drive the lane in an attempt to tie the game but decided to try a three-pointer when he found himself wide open.

“The defender stepped back, so I took the shot,” Mann said. “It felt real good. They pulled everybody back when I came down court so there was nobody there when I pulled up for the shot. I think they were surprised that St. Clair missed the second free throw.”

Sonora Coach Mike Murphy looked as if someone had just run over his dog after his team slipped out of a first-place tie with Buena Park after the late turn of events. Murphy said he anticipated Mann taking the final shot.

“I told the team after Chris makes his second shot, to get on Mann immediately,” Murphy said. “I never imagined Chris would miss the free throw, and I knew Mann was going to shoot it. You’ve got to give the guy credit, he hit a great shot.”

Only two weeks ago, Sunny Hills Coach Steve White figured his team faced a must-win situation after opening league play with losses to Troy and Buena Park. Sunny Hills (16-4, 4-2) won its fourth consecutive game and White could only shake his head after the unlikely victory.

Mann was virtually unstoppable Friday night, scoring 29 points and getting 17 rebounds. He was double-teamed most of the game but still managed to make 12 of 21 shot attempts. Mann scored 11 of Sunny Hills’ 19 points in the last quarter.

In other league games:

Buena Park 56, Fullerton 50--Junior point guard Alex Tolentino scored a season-high 21 points for first-place Buena Park (16-4, 5-1).

Troy 56, La Habra 43--Tim Lien had 17 points and 10 rebounds to lead Troy (13-7, 4-2) at La Habra.