Boys’ basketball: Lutheran wins 62-61 on final shot

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Bruce English made a 15-foot corner jump shot at the buzzer to lift second-seeded La Verne Lutheran to a 62-61 upset of top-seeded Windward in the Southern Section Division 5AA boys’ basketball championship game Thursday night at Colony High.

Freshman Eric Cooper’s jumper pulled the Trojans to within a point with 31 seconds remaining. Windward guard Jordan Wilson was fouled but missed the first free throw in a one-and-one situation. C.J. Cooper drove to the basket and was fouled, making both free throws to give Lutheran (23-8) a 60-59 lead with 24.4 seconds left.

Wesley Saunders made a driving layup to give the Wildcats (23-8) a 61-60 lead with 7.2 seconds left, setting the stage for English’s last-second heroics. Lutheran won its second section title in three years and avenged a 10-point loss in last year’s final.

‘Revenge is sweet,’ English said after watching his game-winner hit the rim, bounce in the air and drop through the net. ‘Our orders were to get to the rim. I just happened to be open and that’s my shot. It was a little faith and a little luck.’

C.J. Cooper had 17 points, English had 15 and Grant Jerrett added 14 for the Trojans, who overcame a 51-44 deficit after three quarters. Saunders had 20 points and Kwame Firempong added 15 for Windward.

-- Steve Galluzzo