Boys’ basketball: Canyon pulls out 56-52 win over West Ranch
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Underdog Valencia West Ranch had an impressive defensive strategy, denying the ball to standout point guard Coley Apsay of Canyon Country Canyon and double-teaming him whenever he had the ball. Apsay scored only one basket through three quarters.
But with the game on the line, he made two three-point baskets in the fourth quarter to help the Cowboys (18-1, 3-0) pull out a 56-52 Foothill League victory at home.
His three-pointer with 1 minute 19 seconds left gave Canyon a 53-50 lead. Clay Kasdorf, who made all six of his free throws in the fourth quarter, made two free throws with 20 seconds left for a 55-52 advantage. West Ranch (8-9, 2-1) failed to connect on a shot in the final seconds.
Kasdorf finished with 18 points. Ako Kaluna, a 6-foot-7 center, had 21 points and 12 rebounds for West Ranch. Apsay had eight points and took only two shots in the second half.
‘We found a way to win,’ Coach Chad Phillips said. ‘That’s what good teams do.’
Devin Baldwin contributed two key baskets in the fourth quarter for Canyon. Alek Golden made three three-pointers trying to take pressure off Apsay.
-- Eric Sondheimer