By Tim Peterson
(Hacienda Heights) – Los Altos built a double digit lead in the third quarter and then had to hold on in the fourth to beat Long Beach Poly 58-56 Friday night to advance to the CIF Division 2AA Final.
The Conquerors led by four at halftime and then went on a 10-0 run to open the third quarter and extend the lead to 38-24. Seven Bahati capped the surge with a rim rattling jam that brought the house down.
Mid way through the third quarter Los Altos was in control. But instead of going away Long Beach Poly immediately responded. The Jackrabbits jumped back in with a 10-0 run of their own to make it 38-34. By the time the third quarter ended Long Beach had tied it at 41.
The two teams exchanged leads several times in the fourth quarter. With Long Beach Poly up 51-50 Ozzy Cuellar hit a big three to give the Conqs a 53-51 lead with 2:40 left. After Los Altos got a stop Cuellar hit one of two free throws with 1:55 remaining to make it 54-51.
With 36 seconds left Aaron Hernandez stole the ball and went the length of the floor for a layup to give Los Altos a 56-51 lead.
Christian Watson hit a quick layup for Long Beach Poly to cut the lead to three but after Poly used all of its fouls Jazz Gardner hit two free throws with 13 seconds left to ice it.
Watson hit a three as time ran out but it was too little, too late and the Conquerors celebrated their semi final victory.
Los Altos led though out the first half. The Conqs jumped out to a 14-6 lead in the first quarter behind John Corina who hit a pair of threes and had eight points in the quarter. Long Beach Poly got close in the second quarter as Watson led the way with nine of the Jackrabbits 18 second quarter points. Gabriel Cummings had five.
The Conquerors then rolled to start the third, Poly charged back and it was tight the rest of the way.
Gardner, the big man in the middle for Los Altos, led the team with 18 including two big three pointers. Corina and Hernandez were also in double figures with 12 each and Cuellar had nine.
Watson had a game high with 28 for Long Beach Poly. Cummings had 13 but no other Poly player had more than five.
For Los Altos its the first trip to the CIF Finals and the Conqs will be home to boot. They will host Rolling Hills Prep Wednesday night.
LB 6 18 17 15 56
LA 14 14 13 17 58
I’m on the phone at all hours trying to reserve my courtside seats for next season in the Los Altos gym. In the meantime, I’ll be flying my Conquerors car flag as a warm-up for the title game.