SOUTHERN SECTION BOYS’ BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS : DIVISION IV-AA : Bassett Adjusts in Time to Beat Corona del Mar

HACIENDA HEIGHTS —  La Puente Bassett earned a chance at its first Southern Section boys’ basketball championship with a 67-64 victory over Corona del Mar in a Division IV-AA semifinal game Friday night at Wilson High School.

Emmory Thompson led the Olympians with 22 points, and sealed the victory by sinking two free throws with four seconds remaining in the game.

Corona del Mar was led by Ramin Bastani with 24 points, but scored only four after halftime, as Bassett Coach Marcus Hilliard made a defensive adjustment two minutes into the second half.

“There was too much penetration to the basket in the first half, and there were several breakdowns in fundamentals,” Hilliard said. “I asked my team at halftime if they were ready to play a man-to-man defense, and they said yes. But after Corona del Mar scored two quick baskets, we had to go a zone defense.”

Arex Eisman connected on a layup with 27 seconds remaining in the game to give the Olympians (15-12) a 65-63 lead.

Jeff Schroeder hit one of two free throws with five seconds left for the Sea Kings (15-14), before Thompson was fouled one second later.