Carter Breaks Away to Spark Saddleback

Anthony Carter doesn’t make a habit of ignoring his coach’s advice, but he did Saturday and, as a result, Saddleback is going to the state tournament.

Carter broke from the player he was defending and stole a pass with two seconds left to clinch a grueling 75-74 victory over host MiraCoata Saturday in the final round of the Southern California men’s basketball playoffs.

Carter, who had a game-high 34 points, made one of two free throws with five seconds left to put the Gauchos (26-5) ahead, 75-74.

After two timeouts, MiraCosta’s John Afshari threw a pass near midcourt, but Carter dashed over to get the ball and time ran out as he dribbled to the corner.

“Coach told us that no matter what not to leave our man,” Carter said. “But I watched the passer’s eyes and I just went and got the ball.”

Saddleback advances to play West Valley in the quarterfinals of the state tournament Thursday in San Jose. The time will be announced today.

The loss ends an outstanding season for MiraCosta (26-4), which had beaten Saddleback twice earlier.

Saturday, MiraCosta rallied with the help of consecutive turnovers by Carter and finally tied it, 74-74, on two free throws by Sonny Drago with 31 seconds left.

Saddleback quickly got the ball in the hands of Carter, who stood near midcourt as time ran down.

Carter broke to the basket with about seven seconds left and was tripped going through the key as he put up a shot.

He made the first free throw but missed the second. He was eight of 15 on free throws in the game and Saddleback was 14 of 28.

Carter also made what Coach Bill Brummel called the “shot of the game.” With the shot clock at two, he made a leaning three-pointer as he fell to the ground to put Saddleback up, 73-67, with 2:27 left.

“We just barely got it right,” Brummel said. “This is a surprising group. Our guys really believed they could win.”

This victory also ended Saddleback’s four-game losing streak in the regional finals over the last four seasons.

“We finally got over the hump,” Carter said.

Rod Beavers, coming off a sub-par performance in a 68-59 victory Wednesday over Bakersfield, played well for Saddleback.

Beavers, a freshman forward, had 13 points, 11 in the second half, and 14 rebounds.

He made two second-half dunks, but more importantly stayed out of foul trouble.

Scott Duffy, a forward, was in foul trouble but reserve Kevin Stevenson played well in his place.

“I could say a lot of nice things about all our guys,” Brummel said, “but this is [Anthony’s team]. He’s the one who got us here.”