By Corey Kwok
(Pasadena) – Pasadena, tied at 13 after one, was hit by a 16-0 Muir run the second quarter that left the Bulldogs in a big hole. Unfazed, the Dogs battled back and eventually subdued the Mustangs 54-51 Friday night in Pacific League action at Muir High.
Pasadena shutout Muir 7-0 through the remainder of the second, before continuing the rally in the third. A stout defensive stand stretched the blitz to 22-2 as the Bulldogs suffocated the Mustangs holding them to only to a pair of free throws. Dion Nelson finally broke the dry spell with a trey with 3.8 seconds left in the third.
Blake Hamilton scored seven of the ‘Dogs first nine points of that stanza on three baskets to pilot Pasadena, who led 35-34 after three quarters. A dramatic fourth quarter then unfolded, featuring four lead changes in the first 1:46. John John Haywood calmly downed a pair of freebies to put PHS ahead for good, but preserving the lead down the stretch proved arduous.
Muir never led after that PHS run but they battled the Bulldogs until the final buzzer. Austin Daniels faked his way to a deuce underneath and Hamilton drove the baseline for a hook, both for Bulldog leads of four.
Each team was in foul trouble and, after a set of Nelson free throws that followed a failed “and-one” bonus by PHS, DeShawn Hayes was fouled on the rebound with :06 to play giving the Stangs a chance to tie. But Hayes missed the first before making the second. Hayes finished as the game’s leading scorer and rebounder with 16 points and 10 caroms in a solid effort for Muir despite sitting out most of the second and third quarters due to foul trouble.
Pasadena clung to a 52-51 lead and sent Chris Hanayan (5 points) to inbound the pass, only to receive it again to run :04 off before being fouled with :02 left. Hanayan hit both free throws.
Muir had one last desperation heave – a 60 footer by Nelson that fell wide left – allowing Pasadena to hold on.
The nine time defending Pacific League champions improved to 7-0 in the Pacific with the win. Todd Lewis Jr. picked up four steals, three assists, and led PHS with 13 points. Lewis provided a highlight film with a vicious slam in the second that lit a fire under the Bulldogs.
Hamilton had 12 hitting 5 of his first 6 shots from the field, and Daniels weaved his way through the Mustangs for another 10. In addition to Hayes, three other Mustangs concluded their efforts in double figures, with Nelson having a dozen and both Jelani Mitchell and Tevin Polk contributing 10.
Pasadena 13 7 15 19 – 54
Muir 13 16 5 17 – 51
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