Gapol’s Shot Sinks Rio Mesa

Opposing defenses don’t concentrate on Royal High’s Gabe Gapol like they do on Ryan Neilsen or Nick Flanagan.

But the 6-foot Gapol, a defensive specialist who led the Marmonte League in steals, has quietly become more of an offensive threat.

And no points were bigger than the layup Gapol made with five seconds left in overtime that gave the Highlanders a 61-59 victory over Rio Mesa in a Southern Section Division I-A first-round game Friday night at Rio Mesa.

After Rio Mesa’s Louie Allon was called for traveling with 10 seconds to play and the score tied, 59-59, Nielsen pushed the ball upcourt.

As the defense collapsed on Nielsen, who scored 23 points and had 12 rebounds, Gapol worked himself open under the basket, got a pass from Nielsen and calmly banked in the winning basket. Gapol finished with 12 points.

Rio Mesa’s Tyrone Nunnery took a half-court shot that banked off the backboard as time expired.

The Highlanders, who qualified for the playoffs as an at-large entry, will play host to Hart in the second round on Tuesday.

“We really needed to find another option on offense this season,” Royal Coach Larry Wiksell said. “Gabe has been the guy more and more.”

The Highlanders (16-11) appeared in command after the third quarter, holding Rio Mesa scoreless for six minutes and holding a 38-32 lead.

But Nunnery, who finished with 14 points, made two three-point baskets to rally Rio Mesa (17-7) within 52-46 with 3:00 to go.

Rio Mesa’s Scott Fujita made a free throw with 39 seconds left to tie the score, 53-53, and send the game into overtime.

Rio Mesa, seeded sixth, scored the first four points in overtime but Royal caught up on two baskets by Neilsen. After a rebound basket by Fujita, Neilsen made two free throws with 29 seconds left to tie the score, 59-59.

Royal jumped to a 24-13 lead by scoring the first eight points of the second quarter. The Spartans bounced back with an 11-0 run, tying the score, 24-24, on a basket by Kris Phillips with 2:00 before halftime.

Flanagan finished with 17 points.