Antelope Valley Christian Falls

How difficult was it for Antelope Valley Christian in the first quarter of the Southern Section Division V-A boys’ final Friday?

When the Eagles’ Johnny Morales made a layup late in the quarter, it was the first shot attempted by Antelope Valley Christian in more than three minutes.

The Eagles suffered an horrific first quarter, turning the ball over 11 times and allowing several easy baskets. Antelope Valley Christian didn’t recover, losing, 82-60, at the Bren Center.

Antelope Valley Christian (24-1) had 31 turnovers, 18 in the first half, in letting an unbeaten season slip away.

Pacific Hills went on a 20-0 run over a 4 1/2-minute stretch late in the first quarter to take a 28-6 lead--and the eventual margin of victory.

“We were really tense out there,” Antelope Valley Christian Coach Frank Lawton said. “I was surprised we were so tense, but we were.”

The lead grew as large as 50-15 midway through the second quarter before Antelope Valley Christian went on a 14-0 run over next two minutes. The Eagles forced five turnovers and held Pacific Hills without a shot during the stretch.

Pacific Hills opened the third quarter with a 16-4 run, extending the lead to 70-34.

Antelope Valley Christian responded by scoring the next 18 points, coming as close as 70-52. But the Bruins pushed their lead to over 20 points for the rest of the game.

Senior point guard Ivan Barahona scored 22 points had 10 assists and eight steals for Pacific Hills. Delvin Glymph scored 17 points.

Morales, with 12 points, led four players in double figures for the Eagles. Tim Markin, Aaron Nurse and Patrick Bowen each scored 10.

Bowen added a team-high 10 rebounds.

The top-seeded Bruins (20-9), an at-large team from the Delphic League, reclaimed the V-A title they last won in 1994.

Second-seeded Antelope Valley Christian also advances to the Southern California Division V regionals, which begin Tuesday.

“Hopefully from losing we’ll learn how to win more,” said Eagle point guard Aaron Ligons.