Agoura Can’t Pull the Plug on Hoover

A hot streak or a cold spell?

Either way, the fourth quarter went Hoover High’s way in a 76-65 victory over Agoura on Friday night in a Southern Section Division I-AA first-round playoff game at Hoover.

The come-from behind victory earned Hoover (16-9) its first playoff victory since 1983 and a second-round matchup with Esperanza on Tuesday night.

The lead changed hands 12 times in the first 3 1/2 quarters before Hoover mounted a 14-point run while holding the Chargers (14-9) scoreless for more than five minutes.

Agoura’s dry spell included several turnovers two three-point shots that failed to draw iron, a backcourt violation and an offensive foul against Brian Laibow, who elbowed Martin Avanessian while pulling up to shoot.

By the time John Barry ended the drought by making the second of two free throws, Hoover had turned a 56-52 deficit into a 66-57 lead.

“I didn’t think we played well for the first 3 1/2 quarters,” said Hoover Coach Kirt Kohlmeier, who guided the Tornadoes to their first Pacific League title since 1984. “We started to hit a couple of shots and made a couple of plays and then we started to play like we can play.”

Andy Russell had 22 points for Hoover and sophomore forward Marc Hull added 13 points, but was more effective guarding Laibow.

“It feels great,” Hull said. “We’ve come a long way since the beginning of the season. Right now, we’re on top of the world.”

Laibow scored 20 points for the Chargers. However, after making a three-point basket to begin the fourth quarter, he did not score again until sinking a three-pointer with less than a minute to play to bring Agoura to within 69-60.

“We were in the game the whole way and they made a small run,” Laibow said. “We started throwing passes away and they took advantage of it. They put the pressure on us.”

Agoura’s lot was made tougher without senior guard Joel Weiss, who was dismissed from the team last week because of an off-campus violation. Hoover also was at a disadvantage without forward Eric Jenkins, who was declared ineligible this week.

Weiss was averaging 14.4 points a game, Jenkins 11.7.

“It didn’t help us,” Laibow said of Weiss’ absence. “But that’s not why we lost.”

Agoura mounted its biggest lead at 53-47 on Laibow’s three-pointer to begin the fourth quarter.

The lead changed hands 11 times in the first half, which ended with Agoura clinging to a 34-32 lead on Josh Portnoy’s layup in the final seconds.