MidValleySports.Com

Holle drives to the basket. (Photo by AC)

(La Canada) – Surviving a scare in the first round of any tournament can be exactly what a top-seeded team needs to get to the finals. The second seeded La Canada Spartans allowed West High from Torrance to get as close as one-point before pulling away late to advance to the second round with a 55-47 victory.

Matt Faber led the Spartans with a game-high 18 points including an incredible dunk in the first quarter.

The Warriors made two runs in the second half to get within striking distance only to have La Canada’s defense come up big.

The first attempt at a tie came with 3:56 remaining when Brandon Yamada hit a three-pointer to cut the lead to one. The Spartans held tough on the defensive end. Faber and Mike McGlashan each made free throws to extend the lead to five heading into the fourth quarter.

La Canada’s lead grew to eight at the beginning of the fourth as Vaughnat Yetenekian made a three-point play.

West made its second run right after being down 45-37 with a seven to one run. Jamin Lackey scored four of the points and Yamada hit another three-pointer.

After two attempts on the offensive end for the Spartans came up with no points, the defense stepped by causing two huge turnovers that resulted in no Warrior shots.

Mason Holle hit a three-pointer to give La Canada a 49-44 lead with 1:53 remaining only to have Kieran O’Shaugnhessy answer with a three of his own with 1:31 left in the game.

With one last attempt to tie the score at 49, West’s Nicky Roos drove to the basket only to come up empty.

Faber would finish off the Warriors with 45 seconds left with a nice lay-up after a great assist from McGlashan.

McGlashan slashes to the hoop. (Photo by AC)