Centennial Lets Tiger Out of San Fernando’s Tank

VALENCIA — It took longer than San Fernando Coach Mick Cady anticipated, but the bad feeling he had before Friday night’s game against Compton Centennial materialized in the form of a 75-73 overtime loss in the championship game of the Valencia tournament.

It was the first loss of the season for the Tigers but Cady said it was inevitable after the Tigers played 11 games in 14 days.

“I just took one look at our faces and I could tell it was going to be a long afternoon,” Cady said. “I was hoping we could just hang on and get out of here.”

Instead, it was Centennial that took charge in overtime. The Apaches (7-1) went on an 8-2 run to start the extra period. Bryan Johnson, the tournament’s most valuable player, scored the last four points for Centennial, including two free throws in the final minute.

“They had a hell of a lot more passion than we did, there’s no doubt about it,” Cady said. “Every time we took a lead, boom! They were fired up.”

The Tigers (10-1) had a 65-63 lead with 35 seconds left in regulation, but Marquis Poole made two free throws to tie the score.

Luis De La Rosa’s three-point shot with three seconds left was long.

Devin Montgomery scored 17 of his 21 points in the first half for the Tigers, who had a 42-33 lead at halftime.

The Tigers used their menacing press effectively in the first half and had a 24-14 lead on Sean Atkins’ layup late in the first quarter.

The Apaches held San Fernando to seven points on just three baskets in the third quarter and pulled to within 49-47 entering the fourth quarter.

Cady said the Tigers might have been riding the emotional high of their victory over Valencia in the semifinals.

“We talked about that game too long,” Cady said. “It’s not like football where you have a week to bask. You gotta turn around the next day and have the same passion. We didn’t.”

De La Rosa had 13 points and Mike Page had 12 for the Tigers. Marquis Poole scored 22 for the Apaches.

Valencia 78, Birmingham 56--Eskias McDaniels had 19 points and 10 rebounds for the Vikings (9-2) in the third-place game.

The Vikings switched to a full-court press midway through the second quarter and rattled off six points in 15 seconds to take a 33-21 lead and ended the half with a 38-27 lead.

Valenica opened the fourth quarter with a 8-3 run to take a 68-48 lead and maintained the 20-point margin the rest of the game.

Crespi 63, Montclair Prep 60--Andy Owings, James Spratt and Tim McDonough each made two free throws in the final 1:12 for the Celts (3-5) in the fifth-place game.

The Celts held Rocky Steryo to 14 points on five of 13 shots.

Jedidiah Hall had 16 points and nine rebounds for the Mounties (6-3).

Santa Paula 67, Calabasas 60--Joey Riccio had 28 points, including five three-pointers, for the Cardinals in the consolation final.

Spencer Hariton had 22 points for Calabasas.

Antelope Valley 83, Ventura 77--Roger Price scored 23 points for the Antelopes in the seventh-place game.