Palmer Times Price’s Move

Clinging to a two-point lead with two minutes left, Los Angeles Price turned to its four-year varsity standout, Marcus Palmer, and he responded with a five-point flurry that carried the Knights past Ross Branson, 52-46, in the state Division V boys’ basketball championship game Friday at Arco Arena.

“That’s his time,” Price Coach Michael Lynch said of the 6-foot-7 senior who finished with 16 points.

Said Palmer: “I’ve been here four times and had to show team leadership. I had to bring the championship back home.”

Price (29-4) won its fifth state title in six years and made up for a loss in last year’s final to Modesto Christian. The Knights had a 12-point lead in the first quarter and led by 10 points three times in the third quarter. But Branson (30-6) refused to make it easy, closing to within two, at 42-40, with 2:15 left on two free throws by Lee Hoytt.

That’s when Palmer stepped forward. He made two free throws with two minutes left, then contributed a three-point play with 1:32 remaining for a 47-42 advantage.

“They held their composure, withstood the run and made a charge themselves,” Lynch said of his team.

Price received important contributions from 6-10 junior center Terron Sutton, who made five bank shots in the first half to finish with 10 points, and junior guard Brian Currie, who also scored 10 points, including two pivotal fourth-quarter field goals.

Price returned only three seniors from last year’s state finalist team but made steady progress, aided by a tough nonleague schedule that featured games against Los Angeles Fairfax, North Hollywood Campbell Hall and Long Beach Jordan.

“It’s awesome,” Lynch said of the Knights’ latest state championship.

-- Eric Sondheimer