Knights are timed out of playoffs

By Ramon Scott
Updated: March 1, 2017

2016-17 EAST COUNTY PREP BOYS BASKETBALL

SAN DIEGO CIF OPEN DIVISION SEMIFINALS

ST. AUGUSTINE 72, FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN 69

EastCountySports.com staff report

SAN DIEGO – The Foothills Christian Knights were assessed a technical foul when they were charged a time out when they had none remaining with 1.5 seconds left in the game and the score tied at 69-all, allowing the St. Augustine Saints to come away with 72-69 victory in the San Diego CIF Open Division semifinals in the final game played at famed Dougherty Gym Tuesday night.

Trailing by one with just 1.9 seconds remaining after KALE BALDADO had just nailed a go-ahead three pointer, the Saints heaved an inbound pass, but a collision resulted in a Foothills foul.

Saints senior Jack Peterson made the first free throw, tying the game, but missed the second.

The Knights’ JORDAN VAN OMMERING grabbed the carom and threw a desperation full-court shot which wasn’t close, but a whistle had blown during the play, as officials signaled that a Foothills player had called for the time out.

Knights’ veteran coach BRAD LEAF then was assessed a pair of technical fouls for his outburst in which he crossed the court to argue with an official.

Leaf had to be escorted off the court and was followed to the locker room by Foothills Christian senior star JAYLEN HANDS, who tried to get his teammates to come with him.

The Saints converted three of six free throw attempts to secure a three-point lead. A last-second try by the Knights went for naught.

Now, St. Augustine will advance to the San Diego Section Open Division final to take on Torrey Pines at 8 p.m. Saturday at USD.

Hands had 24 points for Foothills Christian (25-5), while Baldado had 18 and teammate JAREN NAFERRETE added 14.

Foothills led the entire way until the Saints took a 67-66 lead very late in the fourth quarter.