Despite Drought, Canyon Takes Care of Villa Park

It wasn’t exactly the recipe Canyon Coach Rob Alexander had cooked up in an effort to complete an undefeated Century League season, but the smile on his face afterward was a sure sign that he’ll take it.

Canyon, despite just one field goal in the final 2 minutes 50 seconds, held on to defeat Villa Park, 49-43, and win the league title outright Friday night at Canyon High.

The Comanches (18-7, 10-0 in league) completed a mission they set six months ago: winning all of their Century League games.

“I never imagined a team would go undefeated in this league,” Alexander said. “It was our goal in September and it was our goal coming into tonight.”

Nevermind that the final victory came against a fierce rival in a sold-out gym (about 1,500). Alexander wouldn’t say if that made it more special, but his fist-pumping, hand-slapping reaction during a timeout with one second remaining made it clear that it was.

“Everybody wants to beat Villa Park,” Alexander said. “But we just wanted to go 10-0 in league.”

For a few minutes, it looked as if Villa Park would spoil the net-cutting celebration that took place following the game.

The Spartans (19-10, 8-2) trailed, 43-33, with 2:50 to play, but pulled to within 45-41 on a driving layup by Adam Keith with 42 seconds remaining.

Canyon, which made only four of nine free throws and did not make a field goal during that span, finally sealed the game when Neil Hammad sprinted the length of the court for a layup and a 49-41 Canyon lead with 12 seconds to play.

“We almost gave it to them,” Alexander said. “We missed enough free throws to build a brick house in this gym.”

Hammad, who finished with 24 points, said it was a personal challenge to lead the Comanches to victory.

“Last time we played they shut me down,” said Hammad of his 0-9 shooting performance in Canyon’s victory over Villa Park Jan. 23. “I wanted to make a point that that was a fluke.”

In another Century League game:

Foothill 71, Orange 60--Drew Buford had 18 points and 13 assists for Foothill (19-7, 6-4), which finished third in league.