Overtime works out well for Prep girls’ basketball against Hoover
SOUTH PASADENA — From the vantage point of Flintridge Prep girls’ basketball co-Coach Kevin Kiyomura, defeat appeared a distinct possibility.
Standing along the sideline on the opposite end of the court during the closing seconds of overtime against Hoover in a South Pasadena High Summer League contest on Monday night, Kiyomura watched a valiant three-point attempt by Hoover’s Preny Sarkissian rim in and out.
“From where I was, it looked to be on line,” said Kiyomura, whose team posted a 22-20 victory against Hoover. “I just didn’t think [Sarkissian] would be in position for that shot, and that would have been a tough way to have lost.”
The teams were deadlocked at 20 following 40 minutes of regulation time. The lone offense in the extra two-minute session came when Gabby Zen made a pair of free throws with 53 seconds remaining. On Hoover’s next possession, it was called for traveling with 42.3 seconds left. Hoover then fouled Flintridge Prep’s Tala Ismail, who missed the front end of a one-and one foul shot when the ball got stuck on the side of the rim.
Hoover took possession with 14.4 seconds remaining and stormed up court. Sarkissian took a pass from inside the paint and launched a shot that nearly delivered the Tornadoes the victory.
“Preny is a great shooter and we wanted her to shoot from there,” said Hoover assistant Lauraine Barakat, who was given the opportunity to get some varsity coaching experience by head Coach Stan Watson. “It wouldn’t have surprised me if that shot had gone in.”
Flintridge Prep improved to 3-6 in the league and will close out with a game against Prep League rival Mayfield at 7 p.m. Wednesday. Hoover, which dropped to 1-8 in the league, will wrap up with a game against Ramona Convent at 5 p.m. Wednesday.
Sarkissian, who finished with five points, gave Hoover a 14-12 halftime lead when she made a three-pointer with six seconds left.
Ismail, Kinsey Thompson and Zen each contributed six points for Flintridge Prep, which played without standout Maya Okamoto (knee injury). Anna Hartounian recorded five points for the Tornadoes.
