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YORBA LINDA – At first glance, it looked as though Villa Park’s boys basketball team, based on its size and speed advantages, was going to run away from Yorba Linda during Friday night’s nonleague basketball contest.

But Yorba Linda used the ultimate team effort, timely 3-point shots and an 11-of-13 effort from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter to hold off Villa Park, 61-54, despite the Spartans pulling to within a bucket late.

Isaac Douglas, the 6-foot-4 Yorba Linda forward, scored 14 points, including four free throws in the fourth period.

But it was his muscle, seven rebounds and defensive effort that was needed most to thwart the Spartans (10-10).

“We don’t have much size, so we need to work harder and box out,” Douglas said. “I knew I had to be a big, physical presence for us to counter their advantage. I didn’t have to score as much as I have in the past. I had to do other things to help us win.”

Daniel Hernandez had two 3-point baskets late to cut a 49-40 Mustangs’ advantage to just three.

But Josh Miller, Erik Hezmalhalch and Douglas combined to convert 10 of 11 final-period free throws to hold off the Villa Park surge.

Jojo Bush, Cedric Thomas and Hernandez each contributed 11 points for Villa Park.

Alex Godoy, the smallest player on the court by nearly six inches, had 14 points for Yorba Linda (15-7).

The 5-foot-4 senior point guard had a game-best four 3-point shots and Zane Peddon added three more 3-point buckets and 10 points for the Mustangs.

“This is huge for us psychologically, because it validates what we’re doing here,” Yorba Linda coach Jason Pietsch said. “We’ve been preaching all year to fight and create shots for others. With their size, we wanted to take it to the heart of their defense and kick it back out.”

Yorba Linda had an 8-5 advantage in 3-pointers and converted as many free throws in the fourth quarter (11) as Villa Park made all game.

Ilan Ezra chipped in with 10 points for Villa Park.

Both teams are back in action Tuesday as Yorba Linda visits Esperanza, and Villa Park will host El Modena.