Boys’ basketball: In a battle of titans, La Verne Lutheran wins in overtime
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On a day he was named to the West team for McDonald’s All-American game, 6-foot-10 Grant Jerrett of La Verne Lutheran played like an All-American, contributing 28 points, nine rebounds and five blocks to help Lutheran defeat host Los Angeles Price, 76-74, in overtime in a game that was a sneak preview of how tough the Southern Section Division 4AA playoffs will be starting next week.
Jerrett’s three-pointer with 21 seconds left in regulation sent the game into overtime. Then it was a three-pointer by his future Arizona teammate, Eric Cooper, with 10 seconds left in overtime that wiped a two-point deficit and gave the Trojans (19-6) their first-ever victory over Price (19-7). Jerrett made 11 consecutive free throws after missing his first.
What a matchup of big men. Price’s 6-8 Skylar Spencer had 18 points and five blocks. Price’s Khalil Johnson had 19 points. Cooper finished with 26 points.
By winning, Lutheran should secure the No. 2 seed in the 4AA playoffs behind Gardena Serra. But there’s no easy spots in a division that looks 12 deep with outstanding teams.
-- Eric Sondheimer