PHOTOS: Troy advances to semifinals of Covina Tourney with triple OT win over Walnut

Troy coach Scott Blake instructs his players during a timeout in the third overtime of the Warriors’ win over Walnut. (Photos courtesy Jim McCormack for OC Sports Zone)

A Troy High boys basketball team that has had trouble finishing games this season had a finish Friday night that eased some of that frustration.

To see the slide show, please click on the first photo

Justin Truillo's lay-in with about a minute to play in the third overtime gave Troy the lead for good in the Warriors' win over Walnut in the Covina Tournament.

Troy's Rhels Chang was fouled on this play but made both free throws to help secure the Warriors three-overtime win over Walnut in the Covina Tournament.

Rheis Chang of Troy makes a key free throw down the stretch for the Warriors.

Troy's Xylon Ward had two crucial blocked shots in the third overtime of the Warriors' 83-78 win over Walnut in the Covina Tournament.

Troy's Kyle Phan protects the ball against heavy defensive pressure in the third overtime of the Warriors' win over Walnut in the Covina Tournament.

In a game that was dramatic not only in the fourth quarter but through three overtimes, the Warriors edged Walnut 83-78 to advance to the semifinals of the 66^th annual Covina Christmas Tournament.

The Warriors will play La Mirada, a 58-54 winner over Valley View, in a semifinal game at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 28 at Covina High. Saturday’s semifinal victors play Monday night for the title in one of Southern California’s longest-running high school basketball tournaments.

Understandably, Troy coach Scott Blake was happy with his team’s effort Friday night.

“We’ve had a tough time closing out games this year so this was a big win for us,” Blake said.

There were two crucial elements to the Warriors’ seventh win in 13 games this season … Walnut missed three of four free throws in the last minute of the second overtime and Troy guard Rhels Chang just wouldn’t be denied.

The Walnut misses at the free throw line meant Troy trailed by only two when Chang made a score-tying, well-defended, lay-in with less than a second to play to force a third extra session.

Chang started the third overtime with a 3-point basket and then wrapped things up with four free throws in the final 30 seconds after Justin Truillo’s lay-in with a minute to play gave Troy the lead for good, 79-78.

“Rhels did what you want a player like him to do,” Blake said. “ He is a senior, a three-year starter and a captain.”

 Kyle Phan had a game-high 21 points to lead Troy, followed by Chang (17), Truillo (14) and Xlon Ward (12).

—Courtesy Jim McCormack, For OC Sports Zone