HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS : Berglund Misfires for Montclair Prep : Boys’ basketball: Mounties stall in V-AA final, 59-53.

Last Tuesday, Montclair Prep guard Reed Berglund sank a three-point shot with just over one minute remaining to propel the Mounties into the Southern Section Division V-AA boys’ basketball final.

With five minutes left in Friday night’s game against Pasadena Poly and Montclair Prep trailing by two points, Berglund found himself with a similar chance.

The shot appeared on target but bounced high off the back of the rim and the Mounties didn’t get a chance to lead again.

Pasadena Poly recovered from a 10-point first-half deficit to defeat Montclair Prep, 59-53, at The Master’s College and win its first section title since 1984.

Montclair Prep (24-5) will still advance to the state playoffs for the first time in school history.

The Mounties turned the ball over or missed shots on their five possessions after Berglund’s miss, while the Panthers (25-2) built on their momentum and sank enough free throws to put the game away.

“I don’t think we panicked but we did lose our intensity,” Berglund said.

Pasadena Poly’s comeback was powered by aggressive offensive rebounding and a 28-1 free-throw advantage. The Mounties’ only trip to the line came after a layup by Scott Stark 15 seconds into the game.

Panther forward Scott Reeder (6-foot-4, 230 pounds) used his bulk to position himself for 16 rebounds, including three put-backs, and had 12 points.