MidValleySports.Com

McGlashan drives to the basket. (Photo by Anne Cypress)

(Anaheim) – During its postseason run La Canada became the “cardiac kids” with heart stopping finishes that made the most fervent fans bite their nails.

So it comes as no surprise that the Spartans needed all 32 minutes of regulation to come away with its first CIF Championship since 1992 with a thrilling 50-47 victory over highly ranked Price.

Mike McGlashan and Matt Faber led La Canada with 14 each in scoring. Faber started out on fire to set the tone early on for the Spartans hitting two key three-pointers to help begin the game.

La Canada began the game on a 21-7 run thanks in part to McGlashan driving the lane against Price and Faber’s outside shooting.

The fast start paid dividends to the Spartans as they were able to dictate the tempo from the more athletic Knight team which is sending two starters to Division I teams next season.

Norvel Pelle never got on track for Price who was held to just four points all on free-throws. Askia Booker finished with eight points and junior phenom Skylar Spencer only scored eight points.

The Knights will look back at its inability to make free-throws in what turned out to be a close game as they missed 12 attempts from the charity stripe.

It appeared as though La Canada would run away and hide from Price with 2:40 remaining in the third quarter after Dario Civon hit a jumper to make the score 39-25.

After the Knights called timeout they made a 10-0 run to close out the third quarter. The run did have a bit of controversy when Mason Holle looked to have made a lay up to stop the momentum only to have the ball swatted away on its way down into the hoop. The non-goaltending called energized the Price faithful and the run continued.

The fourth quarter definitely was not for the faint of heart, with the Spartans holding off the Knights at every turn. Anytime Price took a bite out of La Canada’s lead, the Spartans had an answer.

With 2:02 remaining in the game, Booker’s layup tied the score at 46.

Out of a timeout, La Canada ran to perfection a pick and go that Sean Mintie was able to score on a beautiful pass from McGlashan.

The final opportunity for Price to take the lead came at 22 seconds remaining on an inbounds pass to Riley Moore. Moore trying to save the ball from going over the half court line inadvertently threw the ball into the waiting arms of Booker who missed a layup after Moore rushed back to provide tough defense.

The rebound went wildly around both teams, but Civon came up with the rebound and eventually was fouled with 12.6 seconds left. Civon stepped up to hit both free-throws to clinch the win.

The final shot from the Knights Chase Murray missed.

Faber fittingly got the rebound, made the outlet to Civon to begin the wild celebration for the Spartans.

Spartan defense played tough against Price big men. (Photo by Anne Cypress)