MISSION VIEJO – Capistrano Valley Christian boys basketball coach Zach Brogdon stood perplexed on the sideline Friday night during the waning moments of the fourth quarter.
In a span of 10 seconds his emotions zigzagged from celebration to confusion to all-out shock.
A free throw by Eagles junior Amazon Nwoye was negated on a shooting violation at the line with eight-tenths of a second remaining in regulation, leading Brogdon to label the call “the worst I’ve ever seen.” The successful free throw would have given Capistrano Valley Christian its first victory over San Joaquin League rival Saddleback Valley Christian since the 2007-08 season.
But Capistrano Valley Christian was outscored, 16-7, in the overtime period, and SVC grabbed a 71-62 win at Saddleback College.
“I have never seen in my life that call – ever,” Brogdon said. “On the line with 0.8 seconds remaining, the ball had already gone through the hoop and they waited five seconds to call it.”
CVC held a three-point advantage with 1:17 left in regulation, but SVC’s Irshad Hunte’s key put-back, coupled with a Phil Edwards free throw, tied the score at 55. As the time on the clock diminished, Nwoye earned a trip to the line after being fouled.
Nwoye’s first attempt was good, but was blown off by officials. The junior missed on the second attempt and the game slipped into overtime.
SVC’s Eric Rwahwire, who had a game-high 23 points, was happy with the game’s outcome.
“These are the best guys I’ve ever played with,” he added. “They really stepped up when they needed to.”
Teammate Irshad Hunte added 20 points for the Warriors (14-8, 2-1), who have swept the season series from the Eagles (18-4, 1-2) and moved into a first-place tie with Orangewood Academy.
SVC battled back from an 11-point first-quarter deficit to grab its first lead in the third quarter at 41-40 with 2:30 remaining. The Warriors’ pressure defense, coupled with CVC’s 2-for-13 performance from beyond the arc, allowed the Warriors to climb back in.
Spider Adetunji finished with 15 points and 11 rebounds for the Eagles, and Peter Abramsky supplied 13 points. Saddleback Valley Chrisitan won the league-opening matchup against the Eagles, 52-42.
