HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS : LeWinter Ices Banning With 2 Free Throws : City Section 3-A: Senior guard gives Birmingham 34-31 semifinal victory.

Scott LeWinter thought his heroics were no big deal after he made two free throws with six seconds left to lift Birmingham High to a 34-31 victory over Banning in a City Section 3-A Division boys’ basketball semifinal game at Cal State Los Angeles on Friday night.

“I’ve been there all season,” said LeWinter, a senior guard who scored only four points. “My job is to get free throws.”

Birmingham Coach Al Bennett was more emotional.

“Is he awesome?” Bennett said. “He’s a three-year starter for me and I’ll bet he single-handedly won 12 games for me.

“Not kidding.”

Birmingham will play the winner of tonight’s game between Eagle Rock and Franklin for the title next Friday at Cal State Dominguez Hills.

With Birmingham (16-9) clinging to a 32-31 lead, and two-time defending 3-A champion Banning setting up to take the last shot, LeWinter stole the ball from Haven Hall as Hall was dribbling near half court.

Hall immediately fouled LeWinter, who went to the free-throw line for a one and one.

With the crowd screaming and the season on the line, LeWinter made both shots.

And the Braves’ improbable run of success continued.

“It feels great,” LeWinter said. “Unbelievable.”

After losing its regular-season finale to El Camino Real, Birmingham has won three consecutive playoff games.

Birmingham forward Jamal Marks scored 14 points, including eight in the fourth quarter.

Banning, which finished with an 18-9 record, led 25-23, with 4 minutes 25 seconds left when Akbar Rahman made two free throws. But a dunk by Birmingham sophomore forward David Redmond (10 points, 13 rebounds) and a steal and a layup by Marks gave the Braves a 27-25 lead. They did not trail again.

Banning’s Brian Jones, who was averaging 21 points a game, scored only six, leaving the game because of a knee injury midway through the second quarter. Hall led the Pilots with 11 points.

Birmingham led, 9-5, after the first quarter, despite making only two of 12 shots.

Banning shut out the Braves, 5-0, in the second quarter.