Crash Course by Martin Steers Moorpark to Title

Others might have given up on the play, but not Sean Martin. Not unless he was knocked unconscious, which almost happened earlier in the game.

The play the sophomore guard made to help Moorpark College upset L.A. City, 68-66, in the championship game of the Canyons men’s basketball tournament Wednesday night was nothing short of spectacular.

With the game tied, 66-66, Martin raced for a teammate’s errant pass that was headed out of bounds near the Moorpark bench and backhanded the ball to Paul Foster under the basket for the winning layup with 11 seconds to play.

“I should have caught the pass,” said Martin, who scored 10 points and was chosen to the all-tournament team. “I thought, ‘Oh, man, no way I’m going to get to it.’ ”

The play came minutes after he crashed to the floor in pain from an accidental knee that opened a gash on the back of his left ear.

“That was an unbelievable play, wasn’t it?” Moorpark Coach Al Nordquist said.

It fit right in there with the tone of the game for the Raiders.

Moorpark (14-4), which was blown out by the Cubs, 93-73, in a nonconference game Nov. 16, took command early and led, 31-23, at halftime behind the shooting of guard Jaime Jaquez, who had 12 of his 16 points in the first half.

The Raiders, ranked 17th in California, opened a 40-24 cushion on a layup and a free throw by Foster with 17:37 left to play. L.A. City (15-3), ranked seventh in the state, rallied to even the score, 66-66, with 25 seconds left on a bank shot and free throw by Raheem Muhammad.

Foster, who finished with 20 points, was named the tournament’s most valuable player after scoring 81 points and grabbing 40 rebounds in three games.

Forward Saipele Tuialii had 19 points and 13 rebounds for L.A. City and guard Markee Brown added 15 points.

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In the fifth-place game:

Canyons 73, West L.A. 52--The Cougars (5-10) blew open the game in the second half.

“We got our running game going in the second half and got some easy baskets,” Canyons Coach Lee Smelser said.

The Cougars turned a 32-23 halftime lead into a rout midway through the second half.

All-tournament selection Jagos Medenica led Canyons with 14 points.

Lonyatta Alexander scored 20 for West L.A. (4-10).