SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO – The Saddleback Valley Christian boy’s basketball team lost in overtime to Flintridge Prep of La Canada, 70-67, Friday in the CIF-SS Division 5AA semifinals.
Flintridge Prep outscored SVC, 24-13, in the fourth quarter.
The Warriors were up, 58-55, with 1:56 remaining in the game. Kendall Kikkawa made a corner 3-pointer to tie the score with 39 seconds remaining. After a layup by SVC’s Nick Andrews, Rebels center Dante Fregoso made two free throws to tie the score and send the teams to overtime.
Trey Smith scored four quick points for the Warriors to open overtime. The junior guard, who finished with 29 points, fouled out at the end of overtime.
The Warriors didn’t score for two minutes in overtime and the Rebels went on a 7-0 run.
Andrew Tsangeos made two late free throws to put Flintridge Prep up, 70-67.
The Warriors missed a shot at the buzzer to bring the game to an end.
SVC opened the game on an 11-2 run. Andrews had 12 points in the first quarter and had no trouble getting to the rim. Andrews’ aggressiveness led to Fregoso receiving two early fouls.
The Warriors dominated the first half inside, scoring 28 of their 35 points in the first half in the paint. The Warriors also outrebounded the Rebels, 18-7, in the first half.
Each team scored only two points in the first four minutes of the second half. Tsangeos kept Flintridge Prep in the game, scoring six of its eight points in the third quarter and making all four of his free throws.
Fregoso and Tsangeos scored 49 of the Rebels’ 70 points.
SVC coach Tom Lewis pleaded with his players to direct the defense toward the duo, but it became increasingly difficult because of foul trouble. Tyshan Barrett played with four fouls for the majority of the second half.
