DIVISION V-A BOYS’ BASKETBALL : Orangewood Academy Upsets Second-Seeded L.A. Pilgrim

Orangewood Academy Coach Eric Thorson had only one reaction after his team held on and posted a 73-72 upset of second-seeded Los Angeles Pilgrim Thursday.

“Wow, we need to work on our free throws,” Thorson said after watching his team miss seven of 10 foul shots in the second half. “But we’re just happy to represent the county in the Final Four.”

The Final Four?

For Thorson and the Spartans, this is their Final Four, even if no other high school players or coaches use that nickname for the Southern Section semifinals. The Spartans are competing in varsity sports for the first season, so all of this hoopla is new to them.

Orangewood (17-6) made 11 of 25 three-pointers and advanced to the Division V-A boys’ basketball semifinals.

Orangewood will play the winner of tonight’s game between Palos Verdes Rolling Hills Prep and Arcadia Rio Hondo Prep in the semifinals Tuesday at a site to be determined.

All of Orangewood’s starters scored in double figures.

Guards Andy Anderson, who had 21 points, including four three-pointers, and Matt Bennie, who had 16 points and seven assists, led the perimeter attack.

Six-foot-seven center Micah Lloyd produced inside, finishing with 13 points, nine rebounds and five blocked shots.

Orangewood Academy led by 10 with 3 1/2 minutes remaining, but Pilgrim (19-5) rallied behind Brandon Campbell (23 points), Jeret Black (19 points) and Fred Burnam (17 points).