Empire League : Faddoul Helps Kennedy Stay in First With Win Over Los Alamitos, 64-63

Guard Mike Faddoul made four free throws in the final 27 seconds to give Kennedy High School a 64-63 win over Los Alamitos Wednesday night in the Griffins’ gym.

The victory was the first ever for the Irish at Los Alamitos and kept them in first place in the Empire League with a 10-1 record. Los Alamitos fell to fourth place after the loss with a 7-4 record and must win all three of its remaining league games to qualify for the postseason playoffs.

Faddoul’s accuracy at the foul line offset a fine effort by Los Alamitos forward Paul Crandall. Crandall, who has averaged 21.8 points per game in five previous games, scored 34 points and grabbed 14 rebounds.

The 6-foot 6-inch senior made 13 of 16 field goal attempts and added 8 free throws to come within 6 points of the school record of 40 points set by Dana Bedard in 1978. But Crandall’s inability to make two free throws with 27 seconds left to play cost the Griffins a chance to take its first lead of the second half.

Kennedy was safely in front, 54-47, with 4:40 left to play but Los Alamitos rallied behind the play of Crandall and guard Sean Belle and three times moved to within one point of the Irish in the final three minutes.

But each time Los Alamitos got close, Kennedy responded with a basket. Forward Jeff Green and guard Walt Lauderdale made the key plays and Faddoul hit the clutch free throws as the Irish moved a little closer to clinching their fourth straight playoff berth.

Lately, the Irish have been playing it close. Only last Friday, Lauderdale’s shot with three seconds remaining gave Kennedy a 46-44 win over Loara. Afterward, Kennedy Coach John Mayberry was savoring the rare road victory.

“This is the first time we’ve ever beaten Los Alamitos on this floor,” he said. “We didn’t do a good job on Crandall, but then nobody has lately. It seems like everybody’s been chasing us since the beginning of the season but my players have kept their composure.

“We’ve had a different hero in practically every game. Everybody has been doing the job. I wasn’t worried in the end because Faddoul is one of our best free throw shooters.”

KENNEDY (64)--Green 21, Lauderdale 17, Queen 8, Bissell 2, Faddoul 11, Galante 5.

LOS ALAMITOS (63)--Crandall 34, Irvin 4, Woods 4, Snow 10, Belle 3, Smith 2, Jorgenson 6.

In other Empire League play:

El Dorado 78, Esperanza 65--The Golden Hawks jumped out to a 25-11 first quarter lead and were never headed in this game at Esperanza. Bart Hakeman scored 20 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for El Dorado (9-2 and 18-3). Dave Eaves led the Aztecs with 15 points.

EL DORADO (78)--Mansfield 17, Sammon 13, Hakeman 20, Ramos 4, Cooke 9, Bailey 2, Walker 7, Hanna 4, Behle 2.

ESPERANZA (65)--Dragonette 3, Anthony 10, Sheets 10, Webb 9, Ziuraitis 8, Eaves 15, Harvey 2, Vincent 8.

Katella 71, Loara 48--The Knights opened a 35-16 lead at halftime with guard Steve Bennett scoring 14 of his 18 points in the first half and never looked back in this one-sided game. Damian Porreca led the Saxons with 17 points.

LOARA (48)--Parker 10, West 5, Miller 2, Porreca 17, Clester 8, Milo 4, Storm 2.

KATELLA (71)--Erbst 11, Bennett 18, Yourstone 14, Linker 6, Donnelly 9, DeChavez 6, Parker 2, Rangel 5.

Pacifica 47, Cypress 44--Guard Dave Brodt scored 16 points and had 6 assists as the Mariners led from start to finish to gain only their second league win. Pacifica’s Chris Brodwoski added 13 points and 11 rebounds.

CYPRESS (44)--Civitelli 8, Bausch 11, Cote 14, Krivashei 8, Bumgarner 2.

PACIFICA (47)--Tejeda 4, Brodowski 13, Hall 10, Shelton 2, Brodt 16, Shumway 2.