San Pedro, Kordich Beat San Fernando

Allen Kordich didn’t think he got the call.

The San Pedro High senior guard was trying for a desperation basket that would allow the Pirates to upset top-seeded San Fernando in the City Section 3-A quarterfinals Wednesday night. But when his shot was apparently blocked by Tyrone Purnell, San Pedro seemed finished.

What Kordich didn’t hear was the foul whistled on Purnell by an official. Kordich made both free throws with one second left in overtime and the Pirates won, 87-86, at San Fernando High.

Ninth-seeded San Pedro (9-18) will play Birmingham in a semifinal Friday at a site to be determined.

After Sean Atkins made one of two free throws with nine seconds left to give San Fernando an 86-85 lead, it was no surprise the Pirates turned to Kordich, who finished with 30 points.

“If we were going to lose, I was the one who was going to take responsibility,” Kordich said. “I didn’t think I got the call because of the situation, but the first thing I did was go over and thank [the official].”

San Fernando had a slim chance, but a long pass was intercepted by Oscar Abrons and the celebration began for the Pirates, who had to forfeit five victories earlier this season because of an ineligible player.

The Tigers (23-3), who had won 11 consecutive games, were in shock.

“[We’re] just devastated,” said guard Devin Montgomery.

Montgomery, playing despite a back injury, kept San Fernando alive in overtime, scoring six of his 24 points. The biggest came with 24 seconds left and San Fernando trailing, 85-82.

Montgomery drove the lane, ran into into Jose Valle of San Pedro, and flipped the ball into the basket as he crashed to the floor. His free throw tied the score, 85-85.

The Tigers were playing without sixth-man Bryson Atkins, who was sidelined by a knee injury.

San Fernando could have used him as Sean Atkins picked up three fouls in the first half, then his fourth six seconds into the third quarter.

San Pedro made 19 of 22 shots in one stretch of the second and third quarters.

“Now I know what Georgetown felt like against Villanova,” San Fernando Coach Mick Cady said, referring to Villanova’s upset victory in the 1985 NCAA championship game.

Trailing, 65-58, early in the fourth quarter, San Fernando turned to backup Reggie Kinlaw. The junior forward scored seven points in a two minute stretch to help tie the score, 67-67.

His play kept Mike Page on the bench. Page scored all 13 of his points in the first half and missed his last six shots.

San Fernando had a 77-73 lead before Kordich hit a 28-footer with 28 seconds left. Montgomery made one of two free throws, but Rashaud Armstrong followed in Kordich’s miss with nine seconds left to force overtime.