PHOTOS: Segerstrom rallies and edges Godinez with two late free throws in league opener

Segerstrom players celebrate after defeating Godinez. (Photos: OC Sports Zone, Courtesy Mark Bausman).

It went down to the wire but Segerstrom’s boys basketball team captured a 46-44 victory over Godinez with two late free throws in a hotly-contested Golden West League game at Godinez.

It was the league opener for both teams.

Segerstrom junior Shawn Murray sank two free throws with two seconds left to break a 44-44 tie and then Godinez turned the ball over on its final possession.

“We came back in spite of coach getting a technical late in the game,” said Segerstrom Coach Brandon Rogers. “It’s always like this when we play Godinez, they’re our rivals. I tell my guys it doesn’t matter what year it is, who’s team is really good, who’s team isn’t. It’s always like this.

“We were able to re-gather our composure after some mental mishaps. We played really good defense and we had guys knock down shots that we didn’t in the first half.”

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Isiah Velasquez led Segerstrom with 17 points. Murray had nine points and Heber Quero eight points.

Godinez (4-15, 0-1) was led by Dillon Carrrillo who had 20 points and Lucas Andaluz, who scored 10.

The game was tied 22-22 at halftime and Godinez led by two points going into the final stanza.

Godinez had a four point lead with 2:22 remaining before Segerstrom rallied, cutting the lead to 43-42 with 1:13 left.

Segerstrom (5-13, 1-0) then moved ahead 44-43 on a basket by Quero with 15.5 seconds left.

Godinez tied the score when Anduluz made the first of two free throws with 10 seconds left. He missed the second free throw and Segerstrom got the ball back and after a timeout worked the ball in to Murray.

“Little things at the end make all the difference,” said Godinez Coach Robert Morgan.

It was the first league game for both teams, who have had to reshuffle schedules due to teams being sidelined with COVID protocol. The game was agreed to on Thursday night.

“Who knows what will happen next week,” said Godinez Coach Robert Morgan. “We were so pleased they could get out here, and to be able to get one and be a rival game is so good for the kids to go down to the wire.

“They’re such a tough team. Every time we play them, it’s a crazy rivalry.”

Morgan was pleased with the effort of Carrillo, who had two 3-pointers.

“He’s our money man when it comes to shooting,” Morgan said. “When he’s on fire, we got a shot and he was shooting really well tonight. He’s doing a great job out there.”

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