BOYS’ BASKETBALL ROUNDUP : Thomas Helps to Extend Brethren Christian’s Streak

Scott Thomas could have just stood there and watched as Brethren Christian’s 24-game Olympic League winning streak rolled off the rim with Reggie Davis’ missed free throw.

But he didn’t.

Thomas pulled down the rebound and laid the ball in with 13 seconds left, and Brethren Christian extended its league winning streak to 25 games with a 56-55 victory over Capistrano Valley Christian Tuesday night at the Warriors’ Paramount gym.

Brethren Christian (17-7, 11-0 in league) clinched its second consecutive league title and can cap its second undefeated league season with a victory at Calvary Chapel Friday night.

But the Warriors’ winning streak--and their hopes of clinching the championship--were in serious doubt in the second half Tuesday.

Troy Rodarmel scored 10 of his team-high 16 points in the third quarter as Capistrano Valley Christian (18-4, 8-3) rallied from a three-point halftime deficit to lead, 44-38, at the end of the third quarter.

The Eagles pushed the lead to 50-41 after a layup by Chuck Carlsen with about five minutes left in the fourth quarter.

“It looked bleak at that point,” Brethren Christian Coach Richard Thomas said. “I’ll admit that.”

Then Brethren Christian came back, capitalizing on three Capistrano Valley Christian turnovers and a three-point basket by point guard Richard Mendoza to cut it to 53-50 with 1:35 remaining.

Two Scott Harline free throws gave the Eagles a 55-50 lead with 1:26 left, but a three-point play by Davis 20 seconds later made it a two-point game.

That set up Scott Thomas’ game-winning play.

Davis rebounded a missed shot by Andy Brown and was fouled by Rodarmel with 16 seconds left. Davis made his first free throw, but the second attempt bounced off the rim and into the left side of the lane.

Thomas was there waiting. His follow shot gave Brethren Christian a 56-55 lead.

Capistrano Valley Christian got the ball down court and called timeout with seven seconds left. But Harline missed a three-pointer with three seconds remaining, and Mendoza came up with the ball.

Mendoza finished with a team-high 17 points.

In the Academy League:

St. Margaret’s 72, California Lutheran 44--Brian Eskew scored 18 points for St. Margaret’s (14-6, 6-1).

St. Michael’s Prep 75, South Gate Southeast Lutheran 64--Chuck Sesma had 27 points for host St. Michael’s Prep (4-14, 1-7).

In the Olympic League:

Whittier Christian 77, Orange Lutheran 51--Jeff Rutter had five three-pointers to give him a single-season school record 73 for host Whittier Christian (13-10, 8-4). Chad Reed had 17 points for Orange Lutheran (11-10, 6-5).

In the Express League:

Heritage Christian 69, Long Beach Gethsemane Baptist 50--Tom Houser had 20 points for Heritage Christian (16-1, 12-0).

In nonleague play:

Liberty Christian 76, Life Christian 56--Toby Curto scored 24 points for host Liberty Christian (15-5, 6-1).