By Ed Piper
La Jolla (1-2 in the City League, 14-4 overall) dropped a thriller at home to Point Loma, 49-47, in the feature game of a Friday doubleheader of the Viking boys and girls teams Jan. 17.
The crushing thing was that Coach Paul Baranowski's team led the Pointers from late in the first quarter until the beginning of the fourth quarter--the edge reaching 13 points with 5:02 left in the third period.
Another thing: The City League is becoming a bear to compete in. The Vikings drop below .500 in league play, after a beating by Mira Mesa Jan. 14 and now this to Point Loma. There is much more to go, and La Jolla has to get some wins to earn a spot in the CIF playoffs.
But Friday's effort was much improved over the early thrashing by the Marauders, who led by 28 at one point. The Vikings' starting five, now solidified and healthy, played their best game so far. Alongside guard mainstays Brody Sessa and Leo Hawkinson, transfer Cole Hein and big men Lance Braga and Carson Diehl stayed on the floor most of the game, and their effort was remarkable.
Each contributed. The defense of Hein, playing in only his fourth game, was evident. Braga and Diehl were effective on both ends.
In crunch time, La Jolla didn't just fold. The Pointers went up by five, 47-42, on a jump shot by sophomore Jax Marple with 5:50 left.
Neither team could score, with intense defensive pressure before a large, roaring crowd in the Big Gym at La Jolla filling the side of the stands pulled out.
With 5:25 left, a referee noticed blood coming from Braga. So Lance had to go out to get his arm bandaged by trainer Jazzmyn Rokosz so he could quickly return.
Baranowski was staying with his starting five.
Sessa scored from behind the arc on the far left with 4:34 left, 47-45.
Point Loma's Grant Stewart, feeling the pressure, made one of two free throws. The Pointers led, 48-45.
Brody hit again, this time on a runner on a fast break, 48-47, at 43.0 seconds. You could feel the pressure. That's why we love sports. You have to play the game to get a winner and a loser.
Baranowski called a timeout.
Point Loma had a hard time inbounding the ball with 19 seconds left after taking a full timeout.
With 16.6 left, junior Na'Sean Hardy missed the first, then made the second free throw. 49-47.
In the final seconds, Hein shot a long ball from three and fell short. Braga grabbed the ball and, under the basket, tried to put it up under the backboard to score. That got batted out of bounds as the clock ran out.
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