Price Surges to Victory, Will Play for State Title

For 30 minutes, Los Angeles Price’s dynasty appeared to be in danger, but in the final two minutes of the Southern California Regional Division V final, the Knights showed why they are favored to win a fifth consecutive state title.

Price (24-7) outscored San Luis Obispo Mission Prep, 17-9, in the fourth quarter Saturday on the way to a 71-61 victory at Cal State Fullerton.

Senior guard Schuyler McKay led Price with 22 points and 14 rebounds. He made 10 of 13 free throws, most of those coming in the fourth quarter.

Price will play Modesto Christian Saturday in Sacramento in the state final.

Mission Prep (21-12), which was playing in its first regional final, made eight of 29 shots in the second half after making 11 of 19 in the first half.

Senior forward Bass Yessoufou scored a game-high 25 points and had 14 rebounds for the Royals.

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Los Angeles Verbum Dei 56, Santa Maria St. Joseph 55 -- Even without 6-9 center Amir Johnson, who transferred to Westchester after leading the Eagles to a section title last season, Verbum Dei is heading to the Division IV state championship game.

Senior guard Mike Pagan hit a running jumper with two seconds left to give the Eagles their first regional title since 1999. Pagan led Verbum Dei with 16 points and five assists in its victory over St. Joseph at Cal State Fullerton.

Verbum Dei will play Alameda St. Joseph Notre Dame, a 61-35 winner over San Jose Valley Christian on Friday in Sacramento. The Eagles (22-9) trailed for most of the game but made 11 of 22 shots in the second half to stay within striking distance.

Senior guard Stewart Kussler led St. Joseph (29-4) with 18 points and 10 rebounds.