DIVISION II-A BOYS’ BASKETBALL : Katella Wins Close Game With Valencia

Katella survived 29 turnovers and the loss of starting point guard Tommy Burfeind early in the game to hold off Valencia, 44-41, in the first round of the Southern Section Division II-A boys’ basketball playoffs Friday night at Valencia.

Katella will play host to Tustin Tuesday in the quarterfinals.

The Knights led all the way, but Valencia made it close, making the score 41-40 when Jason Miele hit a three-point basket with 29.4 seconds left.

A foul away from the shot and two free throws by Mike Pahl gave Katella a 43-40 edge.

Burfeind, making his first start, suffered a dislocated knee with 6:50 left in the first quarter. He was the third person to start at point guard for Katella (16-8) this year.

Katella held a 27-16 lead after three quarters in a low-scoring defensive struggle before Valencia upped the tempo in the final quarter, scoring 25 only to come up short. Valencia forced 11 Katella turnovers in the final quarter.

LaByron Clayton with 15 points and Pahl with 10 led Katella’s scoring while Jermaine Gray with 11 and Junior Alatorre with 10 paced the Tigers (18-11).