University Comes Alive Down Stretch, Beats Trabuco Hills

With its top weapon misfiring frequently, University’s chances looked bleak in its run-and-gun showdown with Trabuco Hills in Wednesday’s Southern Section Division I-A boys’ basketball first-round playoff game.

But after trailing by as many as seven in the final 3 1/2 minutes, University came back, with guard Andy Lawrence making two free throws with 13 seconds remaining to cap the rally and give the Trojans the lead for good, before they held on to win, 65-63.

Evan Fields had 28 points and 10 rebounds and Brennon Martin had 22 points to help Trabuco Hills (12-15) take control before University (17-10) made its final push.

University used balanced scoring and some timely free-throw shooting down the stretch to offset the Mustangs’ top guns. University advanced to play at Woodbridge in the second round.

“It came down to free throws,” University Coach Mike Dineen said. “Our guys came through in the end.”

Lawrence entered the game averaging 21 points, making 39% of his three-pointers. But Wednesday, he missed his first 12 shots and finished with only 13 points, making five of 23 from the field.

“I played pretty bad for most of the game,” Lawrence said. “I couldn’t get into a rhythm, but they did a nice job on defense.”

But not quite good enough. Trabuco Hills took a 63-62 lead with 25 seconds remaining when Martin scored on an acrobatic driving layup. But then Lawrence went the other way and drove the lane, drawing a foul from Anthony Newkirt with 13 seconds remaining.

“I didn’t want our season to end,” Lawrence said. “I felt like I had let my teammates down for the whole game. I had to make them.”

He calmly sank both foul shots for a 64-63 University lead, but Trabuco Hills had one more shot. The Mustangs moved the ball around and Martin worked free for an open three-pointer in the left corner, but the shot rattled in and out.

Hiro Christoph, University’s 5-foot-11 junior, grabbed the rebound with three seconds remaining and was fouled, then he made one free throw before Martin’s heave from the back court at the buzzer hit the gymnasium ceiling, finally ending the frantic game.

Christoph’s rebound and foul shooting--he made four of five in the fourth quarter--typified University’s varied contributions.

Although the team shot only 33% from the field, University kept scrapping with strong efforts from Sharif Elsherbiny, who had 10 points and eight rebounds; Ryan Zinchefsky, who had 13 points and 10 rebounds, and Michael Dale, who had 13 points and seven rebounds.

Trailing, 56-49, with 3 minutes 10 seconds remaining, University went on a 9-2 run in the next 1 1/2 minutes--starting with a three-pointer from Lawrence, his only one in the game, and ending with a dunk by Zinchefsky to tie it, 58-58, with 1:35 remaining.

Then came the free throws, with University making five of its final six to help seal the victory.

In other Division I-A games:

Moreno Valley Rancho Verde 66, Katella 56--J.S. Nash scored 36 points, including 15 in the second quarter, when Rancho Verde outscored visiting Katella, 17-12, to cut into the Knights’ eight-point lead.

Katella (12-14) held a one-point lead entering the fourth quarter, but Nash scored 12 points to highlight a 20-9 run. Phil Tyson scored 16 points and Marcus Espinosa had 14 for the Knights.

Whittier California 66, Sunny Hills 49--Freshman Tony Gonzalez was not shy in his first playoff experience leading Sunny Hills with 13 points and 10 rebounds in a first round loss. Sal Villegas had 18 points and David Shellman had 14 points for Whittier California (17-10), the second-place team from the Del Rio League. California will attempt to defeat a second county team when it plays Friday at El Dorado.