PHOTOS: Dana Hills slips past La Mirada 69-61 at Damien Classic

Dana Hills’ Griffin Haugh hit a 3-pointer to break a 50-all tie and scored 18 points. (Photos courtesy Jim McCormack, For OC Sports Zone).

When opportunity knocks, answer the door.

Opportunity knocked twice Tuesday and Dana Hills took full advantage, collecting four points that were critical in its 69-61 victory over La Mirada in a Silver Division game in the Classic at Damien boys basketball tournament.

First opportunity was two free throws before the start of the third quarter, the result of a technical foul on a La Mirada player after the first half had ended.

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

Adam Pellini, who scored a game-high 19 points for Dana Hills, puts up a shot.

Dana Hills’ freshman Collin Haugh gets ready to take a shot.

Dana Hills’ Christian Boehmer defends against La Mirada’s Julian Gomez.

Dana Hills’ Griffin Haugh (right) and a teammate battle La Mirada’s Sean
Cervantes for a rebound.

Dana Hills’ coach Tom Desiano directs his team in win over La Mirada.

Adam Pellini of Dana Hills defends against La Mirada.

The Dolphins’ Griffin Hough hit both free throws and, eight game minutes later, played a critical role in the second opportunity.

It was his 3-point shot with less than two seconds to play in the third period that broke a 50-all tie and when a La Mirada player stepped on the end line trying to hurriedly in bound the ball, Dana Hills was given the ball with .06 seconds on the clock.

The Dolphins ran a slick inbounds play, resulting in an uncontested layin by Adam Pellini and Dana Hills began the fourth quarter with a five-point advantage.

La Mirada rallied to tie at 60 with four minutes to play, but could never pull past the Dolphins, who made clutch shots, collected key offensive rebounds and made their free throws down the stretch to secure at least their 13^th win of the season (season records are incomplete).

Pellini led the Dolphins with 19 points and the Hough brothers, Griffin (18) and freshman Collin (15) combined for 33.

Sean Certantes led the Matadors with 19 and Aiden Nasser and Julian Gomez each added 14.

The games in The Classic at Damien have been an adventure. The original field was 88 teams, but it had been reduced to 52 by midday Tuesday and opponents and game times were still being changed today as more teams stepped away because of COVID issues, according to tournament officials.

—Courtesy Jim McCormack, For OC Sports Zone