Garden Grove League : Small Leads Bolsa Grande Victory

Bolsa Grande High School’s final play in Friday night’s 75-74 win over Kennedy at Bolsa Grande didn’t quite turn out as planned.

Joe Small, who had provided the Matadors with the bulk of their offense in the second half, wasn’t supposed to have the ball as the clock wound down. He was merely a decoy.

Small, who had been closely guarded by Wendell Lauderdale for the final few minutes in an effort to slow him down, got the ball anyway. Small caught the ball, took a dribble and launched a 25-foot jump shot with three seconds left and the score tied, 74-74. The shot missed, but Lauderdale crashed into Small after he released the ball.

The officials whistled Lauderdale for a foul, giving Small two free throws with one second left. Small, who had 28 points, 22 in the second half, made the first and Bolsa Grande won.

Bolsa Grande is 12-5 overall and 5-2 in league. Kennedy is 10-7, 6-1.

Small’s free throw ended a game that had 13 lead changes, 4 in the fourth quarter, and was tied 6 times.

With Bolsa Grande trailing, 65-64, midway through the fourth quarter, Small hit a jump shot on the baseline to give Bolsa Grande the lead. Then with 3:21 left, Small hit a jumper that appeared to be from about the free-throw line and was fouled. The officials ruled it was a three-point basket, Small made the free throw and Bolsa Grande suddenly had a four-point play and a 70-65 lead.

But Maurice Keith, who led Kennedy with 19 points, and brother Michael, who scored 12, rallied the Fighting Irish.

Michael Keith’s three-point basket with 1:32 left pulled Kennedy even at 72-72. Lauderdale made both ends of a one-and-one situation to give Kennedy a 74-72 lead with 1:12 left.

But Bolsa Grande’s Travin Lui drove and hit a 5-foot jumper just 8 seconds later to tie it at 74-74.

Mike Pettengill, Kennedy’s point guard who had 10 assists, was then called for traveling with 37 seconds left, giving the ball back to Bolsa Grande and setting up Small’s free throw.

Garden Grove 37, Los Amigos 35--Jason Freer made both ends of a one-and-one situation with 25 seconds left to give the Argonauts the upset at home. Freer had 10 points and Ronnie Rhines 13 for Garden Grove (4-13, 3-4).

Carlos Palomino led all scorers with 19 for Los Amigos (7-8, 4-3).

Pacifica 62, Santiago 36--The host Mariners (5-11, 3-4) outscored the Cavaliers, 19-8, in the third quarter to take a 47-29 lead. Dustin Bonham had 16 points and Billy Maurer 12 for Pacifica. Pham Nguyen and Joe Heskett each scored 11 points for Santiago (1-12, 0-7).

La Quinta 81, Rancho Alamitos 76--Scott Campbell had a game-high 27 points for the visiting Aztecs, who led, 43-30, at halftime. Scott Linck added 19 and Kenny Bennett 18 for La Quinta (11-6, 4-3). Gary Lira led Rancho Alamitos (4-10, 3-4).