Price in Record Book

The game was still minutes from tip-off, layup lines barely beginning, when fans of Los Angeles Price High began chanting for a three-peat, almost demanding it.

Less than two hours later, they got what they wanted.

Price became only the second team in state history to win three consecutive boys’ basketball championships with a 72-65 victory over San Francisco University in the Division V title game Saturday at Arco Arena.

Oscar Edwards scored 24 points, Paul Simon added 14 and Price, in only its eighth varsity season, matched what Compton Dominguez did from 1999-2001 in Division II.

“It’s definitely amazing,” Coach Michael Lynch said.

Edwards, a 6-foot-4 junior, had 10 rebounds to lead the Knights’ overwhelming 50-28 rebounding edge.

“I think most high school players dream of winning three championships,” he said. “I’m living the ideal high school career.”

The Knights were living large after the third quarter, overturning a 35-34 halftime deficit by outscoring University, 19-10.

“That’s been a pattern for us. I think they like those halftime speeches,” Lynch said. “We saw a little fatigue [from University] and we wanted to get after them.”

Price (31-6) could have had a better record, but the Knights forfeited their last two Coastal Life League games because they had already scheduled too many games.

University forward John Casnocha had 28 points, including five three-pointers to tie the record for most three-point baskets in a Division V championship game.

University (30-5) trailed by 14 early in the fourth quarter, but rallied to trim the lead to 67-64 on a layup by Alex Casnocha with 53 seconds left.

Edwards, however, answered for Price with a press-breaking layup with 37 seconds to play.

“I guess they’re as good as advertised,” University guard Ontario Smith said. “They’re one of the best teams in the state.”