BOYS’ BASKETBALL ROUNDUP : Victory Gives Calvary Chapel a Two-Game League Lead

Calvary Chapel all but sewed up the Olympic League boys’ basketball title Tuesday night.

By beating Whittier Christian, their closest pursuers, 66-54, at the Los Angeles College of Chiropractic, the Eagles (18-5, 6-1) took a two-game lead with three left to play, even though all three are on the road.

Just as important, the Eagles avenged a loss to the Runnin’ Heralds in January, a game the Eagles led by 12 at halftime.

“I wanted to win this game more than any I’ve coached,” Calvary Coach Craig Falconer said. “We have such a great group of seniors. I’ve been there before, but I really want this one for them.”

The Eagles were paced by Isaac Leasau’s 24 points and Kevin Falconer’s 17 points. Calvary Chapel also played a tight, opportunistic defense, forcing 13 turnovers and numerous bad passes and shots by Whittier Christian (10-11, 4-3).

Even though the Runnin’ Heralds overcame an early 10-point deficit to tie the score at 13, and close to 36-35 late in the third quarter, their only lead was 3-2. A 10-2 Eagles’ run to start the fourth quarter buried any hopes of a late comeback.

Kevin Berry led Whittier Christian with 16 points.