Fay Scores 39 to Help Buena Rout Saugus

At the rate points were accumulating Friday night at Buena High, it was no surprise the scoreboards surrendered midway through the third quarter of Buena’s 93-77 win over Saugus in the first round of the Southern Section Division I-A boys’ basketball playoffs.

Shortly after Buena guard Lance Fay (39 points) finished off his ninth point in two minutes, the lights went out. For Fay, who averages 30 points, causing a short in the scoreboard was one of the few things the senior guard had yet to accomplish in a basketball game.

Fortunately, the scoreboard lights returned within seconds. But there was no light at the end of the tunnel for Saugus (18-9), which trailed by 15 points at its moment of darkness and never got closer than 11 thereafter.

When provided an opportunity, Buena (21-4) will run and run. And Saugus provided that opportunity Friday.

“I didn’t think the tempo would be that fast,” said Buena Coach Glen Hannah, whose team avenged a 66-60 loss in the Beverly Hills tournament last December. “Obviously, I’m glad it was.”

Saugus Coach John Clark wasn’t as pleased. Clark said he preferred to keep Buena’s final score in the 50s; the Bulldogs had 44 at halftime.

“When you have Fay making shots from three feet above the top of the key, you don’t have any choice of the type of game you can play,” Clark said. “If you’re going to beat Buena, Fay has to miss some shots.”

And Fay seldom misfired, finishing 16 of 24 from the field. He scored 10 points in the first quarter to help Buena take a 22-16 lead. Fay had 16 in the first half, and Buena had a 44-30 lead.

Buena added a strong rebounding effort that was paced by Andy Saint (17 points and 14 rebounds) and Doug Wilder. Buena collected 16 offensive rebounds, much to the dismay of Clark.

“It isn’t what cost us the game, but they were climbing all over our backs,” Clark said. “The tall (referee) did not belong in this gym. He belongs at a girls’ game. He was in over his head, it’s as simple as that.”

Saugus remained in the game behind the shooting of Steve Tampus (23 points), Josh Hinrichs (20 points), and Mike Thompson (13 points). The Centurions pulled within 70-58 on a three-point play by Chris Hickman with 7 minutes 48 seconds left.

But that was Fay’s cue. He scored 10 points in 1:23 to push Buena’s lead to 80-64 with 5:05 left. A three-point shot by Tampus again pulled Saugus within 12, 80-72, with 3:02 left. But this time, Buena guard Nick Houchin (20 points and nine assists) completed a three-point play and hit a short jump shot that extended Buena’s lead to 87-70, with 2:02 left.

“We just did not want that fast of a pace,” Clark said. “But they are a pretty good team. Their big guys made big contributions. Our big guys weren’t ready for a game like this and, well, they’re also not that big.”

Buena finished 35 of 65 (54%) from the field and 18 of 23 (78%) from the line. Buena hit its final 14 free throws and committed only six turnovers.

Saugus was 30 of 57 (53%) from the field, but the Centurions were only 13 of 23 (57%) from the line and they committed 16 turnovers.

“Our kids played pretty good, but Fay is just a good player,” said Clark, who earlier announced his retirement at the conclusion of the season.

“I have no problems with this being my last game. I’ve been very blessed to have the players who have played for me.”