SOUTHERN SECTION PLAYOFFS : Timely Baskets by Cantrell Lift Tustin Over Alhambra

When Tustin High School needed a big basket Friday, the Tillers seemed always to turn to Brad Cantrell.

Cantrell usually responded. He scored a game-high 20 points to lead Tustin to a 66-65 victory over Alhambra in a Southern Section 3-A boys’ basketball quarterfinal game at San Gabriel High School.

For Cantrell, a swingman, to lead Tustin (23-5) was impressive enough. But it was the quality of his baskets that really stood out. He didn’t score his first basket until the end of the first quarter, but it was a layup at the buzzer to give Tustin a 14-14 tie.

Cantrell didn’t score again until there were two minutes left in the second quarter. But he scored Tustin’s last 11 points of the half and the Tillers led, 36-25, going into the third quarter. His final basket of the half was a three-point shot as time ran out.

“Brad was the big catalyst for how well we played tonight,” said Tom McCluskey, Tustin Coach. “When he plays well, we play well.”

When Cantrell wasn’t scoring, Tustin center Leo Parker displayed his inside power.

Parker finished with 18 points. Parker brought the Tustin fans to their feet with a dunk off a lob pass from B. LeSean London in the middle of the third quarter to give Tustin a 48-34 lead, its biggest of the game.

Alhambra (22-6), though much smaller, fought back in the final quarter and came within four points, 64-60, with 44 seconds left.

But Cheavly Ly made both ends of a one-and-one with 34 seconds to go to give Tustin a 66-60 lead. Alhambra got a layup and a three-point shot as time ran out to finish the scoring.

“This is the biggest win of our team’s career,” said McCluskey, in his first year as coach. “We did the things we had to do.”

Tustin, the second-place team in the Sea View League, plays Palos Verdes one semifinal game Tuesday. Palos Verdes advanced with a 68-53 victory over Sunny Hills.

Rolling Hills plays Kennedy in the other semifinal game.