In a game that proved the importance of foul shooting, the Leland boys basketball team made clutch free throws at the end to defeat Independence 50-45 in overtime Thursday in a Blossom Valley Athletic League Mount Hamilton game.
“It was a crazy good game and everyone played well,” Independence junior Huy Phi said.
Leland, paced by the outstanding ballhandling and passing of guard Ryan Nguyen, led 13-3 after one quarter and 27-14 at halftime.
But then the fresh Independence lineup of Jeremy Ishimaru, Miguel Vergara, Carlos Villanueva, Zach Numoto and Garrett Bracy led a 76er rally that put Independence ahead 35-34 in the third quarter. It remained close from then on, resulting in a 40-40 tie after regulation, resulting in overtime.
“They really stepped it up in the second half and played with heart, and that let them take it into overtime,” Independence head coach Greg Duarte said.
Independence (6-15, 1-10 BVAL-MH) surged ahead on a three-pointer by Ishimaru. But Leland (15-6, 8-3) overtook the 76ers with its stellar foul shooting, getting pairs of charities from both Nate Rohrer and Ryan Nguyen to win it.
“I’m happy to see that we won and played great," Leland coach Steve Seandel said. "We made some great shots in the third quarter, tightened up and gave them our all. But I give Independence credit too, it wasn’t an easy (game).”
Ishimaru led Independence with 14 points. Rohrer led Leland with 21 points, including seven from the foul line.
