Chadwick Falls With the Game on Line : Division V: Brethren Christian’s Richard Mendoza makes a free throw with four seconds left to beat the Dolphins, 47-46.

There was no doubt in the mind of Chadwick forward Joe Giaconi that the top two teams met in the Southern California Division V regional championship game Saturday.

Whether the best team won was open to debate, according to Giaconi.

Brethren Christian was the best team down the stretch and emerged with a 47-46 overtime victory at Cal State Dominguez Hills.

Richard Mendoza made a free throw with four seconds left in overtime for the winning point.

Mendoza missed a second free throw and Phillip Relin grabbed the rebound. But the Dolphins were unable to get a shot off before time expired.

Chadwick had an opportunity to take the lead in the final minute, but Dylan Brown missed a layup.

The Warriors worked for last shot before Mendoza was fouled by Giaconi on a drive down the lane.

“We wanted a chance to play these guys because we’re obviously the best two teams,” Giaconi said.

It was Chadwick’s third loss to the Cypress team this season. The Warriors defeated the Dolphins, 44-43, in the Southern Section championship on March 6 and 43-36 in a nonleague game in January.

Brethren’s victory Saturday was its fourth one-point playoff victory in six seasons over Chadwick.

“It’s not revenge, but someday I’ll break the jinx,” Chadwick Coach Tom Maier said.

Scott Thomas had a game-high 15 points for Brethren (25-7), which won its 21st game in a row. Brethren will play Emery in the state final in Oakland.

Brethren’s Reggie Davis made a free throw with one second left to tie the score, 44-44, at the end of regulation. He missed the second to send the game into overtime.

Neil Thakur had 14 points and Dylan Brown added 10 points and seven rebounds for Chadwick (23-9).

Chadwick led, 39-30, after three quarters and by as many as 11 points in the fourth quarter.

The Dolphins, however, were held to only one field goal in the final seven minutes and were outscored, 14-5, in the quarter.

“We were up by 10 points and they were down by 10 points and they came back and won the game,” Giaconi said. “They’re a clutch team.”

Chadwick opened a 41-30 lead with 7:36 to play on consecutive baskets by Dylan Brown, but scored only three points the remainder of regulation.

“We had our chances what can you say?” Maier said. “The stats tell the story of the game. We just could not finish it off.”

Mendoza made a three-point basket to cut the deficit to 42-40 with 2:19 to play. The 5-foot-10 junior made another one to bring the Warriors to within 44-43 with 1:50 left.

“I thought we were all out of comebacks,” said Mendoza, who also had five assists.