Thompson Lifts Centennial, 59-58

Tyre Thompson made the most of 3.9 seconds Saturday in the Southern Section Division III-A final, taking an inbounds pass from beneath his basket, racing up the right sideline, crossing over to his left and pulling up to make a buzzer-beating three-point basket that gave Compton Centennial a 59-58 victory over North Hollywood Harvard-Westlake in the Arrowhead Pond.

The game-winning shot gave the top-seeded Apaches (27-3) their first section title, ending a streak of five runner-up finishes over the last six seasons. Second-seeded Harvard-Westlake (25-5) came in having won four consecutive titles.

Thompson, a junior guard, finished with 16 points and Jervaughn Johnson had a game-high 21 points and 11 rebounds.

For Harvard-Westlake, Alex Stepheson had 20 points and 10 rebounds, and Jabari Trotter and Kieran Ramsey had 16 and 13, respectively.

Trotter, playing for the first time since injuring his left knee in a second-round game against Duarte, had given the Wolverines a 57-56 lead on a three-pointer with 24 seconds remaining. Trotter then made it 58-56 on the Wolverines’ next possession by making the second of two free throws with 3.9 seconds to play.

Centennial Coach Rod Palmer called a timeout and drew up a play he’d often run in practice.

“I’ve been thinking about it and wishing I’d have a chance to use it,” Palmer said.

Said Thompson: “I don’t know what to think right now. I’m lost. The shot hasn’t kicked in yet.”