Brisman Helps Huskies to Upset

This could be the start of something big for Mylo Brisman and Corona Centennial High.

With the demeanor of a cool-headed veteran, the largely untested Brisman made two free throws with three seconds remaining to lift the Huskies over Santa Ana Mater Dei, 65-63, Saturday night in the title game of the Huntington Beach Ocean View tournament.

The senior reserve forward was one of the least likely players to take the final shot for Centennial (5-0), No. 15 in The Times’ rankings. But after guard J.R. Reese missed a driving shot in the lane, the ball ended up in Brisman’s hands, and he didn’t hesitate before taking the ball to the basket and drawing a foul.

“I was nervous,” Brisman said of his free throws, “but it was just like in practice. I knew I had to knock them down.”

Brisman did exactly that, burying No. 3 Mater Dei (6-1) in a rematch of last year’s Southern Section Division I-A title game, which the Monarchs won by 11. Both teams are in Division II-AA this season.

Brisman did not play in last season’s game, but he will be counted upon this year on a Husky team that returns two starters, Lance Soderberg and Reese, who was selected tournament most valuable player after scoring a game-high 22 and grabbing 10 rebounds.

“It feels great to come back and show them we’re better this year,” Reese said.

Mater Dei also returns two starters, but the Monarchs have benefited again by what seems like an annual influx of transfers. West Hills Chaminade transfer Marcel Jones led Mater Dei with 19 points and Pasadena Blair transfer D.J. Strawberry added 10.

Mike Strawberry, D.J.’s cousin, said the Monarchs lost in part because they weren’t battle-tested after opening the season with a string of blowout victories.

“For a team to stay with us, it was a shock,” Strawberry said. “We didn’t know how to handle it.”

With two minutes left, Reese made two free throws to tie the game and guard Nykolas Peppers made the front end of a one and one to give Centennial a 61-60 lead. Peppers then made a nice feed under the basket to Dimitrius Alexander, who made an easy shot to give the Huskies a three-point cushion.

Mater Dei’s Wesley Washington made one of two free throws before D.J. Strawberry tied the game at 63 on a driving shot in the lane. D.J. then made a steal and was fouled driving to the basket but missed both free throws with 21 seconds to play. Washington pulled down the rebound but was called for a charge with 17 seconds left, setting up Brisman’s heroics.

Said Centennial Coach Val Popov: “He knows this year could be his year.”