Normally his team's scoring leader, senior Harry Brazelton of Mount Miguel (Spring Valley) was dribbling through a lackluster shooting day from the perimeter in the CIF-SDS Division III finals at the University of San Diego’s Jenny Craig Pavilion.
Yet, Brazelton, who was a forgettable 0-for-6 from above the arc and 2-for-10 overall, was going to be a hero for the Matadors.
With 11 seconds remaining and the game tied, Brazelton sank a free throw with no time remaining, giving Mount Miguel a come-from behind 47-46 victory over La Jolla and its first CIF-SDS in 42 years
Brazelton, struggling to get off a desperation shot, was fouled with 0.2 remaining, some 25 feet from the basket. Some thought the buzzer sounded before Brazelton was able to launch his bid for a long range winner.
It was a call for which La Jolla coach Kamal Assaf certainly had a right to offer a complaint. Taking a philosophical approach, Assaf pointed the finger at those who were defending Brazelton.
“In a situation like that you should never commit a foul,” he said. “The clock was all but expired and their guy, who had been struggling with his outside shooting all day, was hardly was in a clear position to get off a quality shot. But we foul him.
“I say make the kid make the shot. If he can do it, so be it. We lose. But don’t give him three free throws.”
Brazelton, a 75 percent free throw shooter, needed only one of his allotted three charity shots to secure the Mount Miguel victory.
"I was prepared for something like this all my life – to be the one to win a championship," Brazelton told EastCountySports.com. "It's been so long for our school and then it's all on you."
Nobody wants to face Foothills Christian
Granted, the boys basketball team at Foothills Christian earned the No. 1 seed in the Southern California Regional Division V basketball playoffs, but since no one wanted to play the Knights in the first round, they have drawn a bye directly into the quarterfinals.
Keep in mind, the Knights have already beaten the best in their division. Although none of the tournaments officials said so, it is obvious that those near the bottom of the ladder wanted no part of the Knights (31-4).
Wrestling: La Costa Canyon senior claims the 119-pound state title
Bryan Grubbs did something the majority of San Diego Section champions rarely do. He won a state championship.
The senior captured the 119-pound title at the CIF State wrestling finals with a 3-1 victory over Zach Zimmer of Clovis West, the No. 1-ranked wrestler in the state, in the championship match.
Baseball: Santana double-threat clears the haze
Santana senior Kyle Hayes broke a 3-3 tie with a solo home run in the 5th inning as the Sultans edged visiting Westview in Saturday’s (Mar. 6) Foothiller-Aztec Tournament opener. In addition to his heroic home run Hayes pitched three innings and struck out six to earn his first win. He allowed two hits and no earned runs.
Hayes’ contributions didn’t stop there. Batting at the top of the Sultans order he was 3-for-3 and scored two runs.
Other top performances
— Montgomery senior right-hander Agustin Lopez struck out 13 and walked none in a complete game baseball victory over Spring Valley Monte Vista.
— Ramona’s Cody Willingham struck out 12 batters and spun five scoreless innings against West Hills as the Bulldogs opened the baseball season with a 5-0 win.
— Fallbrook senior Tyler Wedeking went 3-for-4 with a home run and three RBI in the Warriors season-opening 9-5 baseball victory over Pt. Loma.
— Sophomore Jasmine Gibbs of El Camino darted 12.58 seconds in the 100 meters for the best time of the day in the Big Dual Invitational at Vista High.
— Rancho Bernardo senior Brett Stephan scored only two points in a win over Eastlake in the semifinals, but broke loose for a career high 20 points (including 8-of-9 shooting) in a victory over El Camino in the finals of the CIF-SDS Division I playoffs.
— Goalie Javier Martinez of San Pasqual recorded four saves in a 2-1 CIF-SDS Division I semifinal win over Chula Vista, and five in a 1-0 win over Rancho Bernardo in the championship game.
— Poway freshman Victor Lopez won five of six bouts to become the runner-up at 103 pounds at the CIF State Wrestling Championships.
— Grossmont sophomore third baseman Alex Connor was 3-for-5 with 3 runs scored, a double and a home run as the Foothillers shellacked Mater Dei 19-2.
— Kaylie Drew was a double threat in Fallbrook’s 13-0 Friar Classic softball victory over San Diego. Not only did she drive in two runs with a double and a home run, she pitched three shutout innings to gain the win.
Coming attractions
No. 1 ranked Poway will host No. 2 ranked Rancho Buena Vista in a battle of CIF-SDS baseball giants as part of the Hilltop Tournament Friday (Mar. 12) night at 6:30.
Dickens dealings
Generally, officials do not like to see their name in print unless, of course, it’s on a paycheck.
That’s probably because when recognition is “given” to the men and women in the striped shirts it tends to be negative.
However, an official that shall be known only as “Scott” should be credited for making a courageous and decisive call in the CIF-SDS Division III boys championship basketball game at the University of San Diego’s Jenny Craig Pavilion.
Make no mistake about it – it was a controversial call. It was also a call that Scott made without the benefit of video replay. Oh sure, the amateurs had replays that Scott was not privy to. Even those proved Scott made the right call when he charged La Jolla with a foul of Mount Miguel’s Harry Brazelton, who was attempting a 25-foot shot to break a tie as the buzzer sounded.
Brazelton was not in good position to launch a clear shot due to the Vikings’ coverage. Yet, he was able to release the ball a split-second before the buzzer. Therein lays the controversy.
From my viewpoint, Scott made the correct call. The amateur videos I saw proved him right. Of course, there were the usual naysayers, but they were in the minority.
Scott could have taken the easy way out and made a “non call” and allowed the game to continue into overtime. But he knew what he saw and had the courage to blow his whistle 0.2 seconds prior to the final buzzer.
Kudos to Scott.
