Late free throws lift Tustin into tourney championship game

Tustin players and Coach Ringo Bossenmeyer celebrate after a 51-49 victory over Calvary Chapel Friday night. (Photo Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone).

Tustin’s boys basketball team won its third straight game to start the season defeating Calvary Chapel 51-49 Friday night to advance into the championship game of the Luis Macias Varsity Tournament at Santa Ana High School.

Junior guard Eli Nyeazi made two free throws with about 30 seconds remaining and then held Calvary Chapel on its final possession to send the Tillers (3-0) into Saturday’s finals against Dana Hills at 1:30 p.m. Nyeazi was the Tillers leading scorer with 24 points.

“He’s a three-year varsity player and now a junior and he’s been through it before so it was a clutch situation and I don’t think he’s afraid of the moment,” said Tustin Coach Ringo Bossenmeyer.

Tustin had to rally from an early 10-point deficit to capture the win.

“Number one (Ethan Hanning) for them made some tough shots,” Bossenmeyer said. “We were trying to make him earn it and I thought we did but he was just making some really tough shots the whole game. They’re a strong team and well coached and it’s a good win for us.”

Julian Flores also contributed to the victory with 16 points and eight rebounds for Tustin.

Hanning led Calvary Chapel (2-1) with 22 points. The Eagles will play El Modena in the third place game at noon Saturday.

—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com