Brea Rallies but Falls Short in 78-77 Loss to Sonora

Wildcat Coach Gene Lloyd, who is nursing an ulcer, stood in the wings of a packed Brea Olinda gymnasium Wednesday night before a nonleague showdown with Sonora and predicted a tight game. The only thing he couldn’t determine was the victor.

“It will be a one-point game, either way,” he said.

Lloyd was correct. But he got some bad medicine for that ulcer.

Fifth-ranked Sonora opened an 18-point second-half lead and then withstood a furious comeback by the second-ranked Wildcats to win, 78-77.

Two of the county’s best shooting guards had a chance to showcase their talents and they didn’t disappoint. Sonora guard Jeffrey Berokoff, who has committed to San Diego State, got 12 of his game-high 31 points in the first quarter as the Raiders built a 22-13 advantage.

Brea battled back and trailed by only two at the half, 40-38, but then Berokoff teamed with seldom-used teammate Gabe Garcia for six three-pointers in the third quarter and the Raiders led, 68-50.

The final quarter belonged to Brea Olinda guard Chris McMillian, who has committed to Wyoming. McMillian, who finished with 30 points, struggled through the third quarter, making only one of eight field-goal attempts. But he scored 11 points in the first four minutes of the fourth quarter to get Brea back in the game, 71-65.

The Wildcats grabbed their first lead, 74-73, on a basket by Kyle Dodd with 1:11 remaining. But with Sonora ahead, 75-74, and with 5.4 seconds showing on the clock, Deric Hilliard intercepted McMillian’s inbound pass and was intentionally fouled by Brea’s Rasuli Webster.

Hilliard made one of two free throws. With four seconds to go, Chris Levine sank two free throws to clinch it.

Garcia, who has battled injuries this season, finished with 11 points, including three three-pointers that helped shoot down the 2-3 zone with which Brea used to open the second half.

“There was so much emotion tonight that it was hard to coach,” Sonora Coach Mike Murphy said. “Both teams were just caught up in the game.”

Lloyd stood quietly next to his bench when it was over and tried not to disturb the ulcer, but that was difficult.

“A one-point game,” he said. “I was hoping it would our one-pointer.”