HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL : San Dieguito Pleases Parents With Upset of 1st-Place Poway

It was Parents Night at San Dieguito High School, and Matt de la Pena gave Mom and Dad a reason to celebrate.

Al and Roni de la Pena watched their son make a 17-foot jump shot with two seconds remaining to give San Dieguito a 68-65 Palomar League victory over second-ranked Poway Wednesday night.

Poway (15-6, 9-4) entered the game in sole possession of first place, but the loss dropped them into a three-way tie for first place with Torrey Pines (19-7, 9-4) and Fallbrook (16-9, 9-4).

The Titans host Fallbrook on Friday while Torrey Pines tries to avenge a loss against San Dieguito at home.

“I told the kids before the game that because we couldn’t win the league title, it didn’t make any difference if we won, as long as we put forth a good effort and played well,” San Dieguito Coach Dave LaBorde said.

He got the effort, and it made a difference to Poway.

De la Pena finished with 30 points. Although he has scored 34 points three times this season, he called Friday’s effort the most meaningful performance of the season.

“It’s good to be in a close game with the top team in the league,” de la Pena said. “It’s been an up and down year (for the team), but the best since I’ve been here.”

The senior guard had been bothered by the flu the past two games, averaging only 13.5 points. But he said he’s recovered.

“LaBorde told me before the game de la Pena was shooting just 34% from the field in league,” Poway Coach Doug Wealch said. “Yeah, right. He’s shooting about 70% now.”

De la Pena’s final shot came after teammate Sean Howard rebounded Kyle Milling’s missed free-throw with 17 seconds left. Trailing by one, Howard took the ball to the Mustang end and passed to de la Pena, who was open on a weak side screen and roll. De la Pena dribbled hard to his left and jumped. Poway’s Frank Garrett lunged to put a hand in de la Pena’s face.

Too late.

San Dieguito players jumped onto the court. Official Frank Wilhelm put two seconds onto the game clock, and the Titans inbounded a long pass down the court. If Mitch Palmer’s pass had been six inches lower, 6-foot-7 Kyle Milling had open space between him and the basket. But the ball went out of bounds, San Dieguito got possession and inbounded to de la Pena, who was fouled. He sunk both free throws.

De la Pena and Howard were the Mustang offense. Howard had 27 points and each had nine in an 18-point fourth quarter.

The duo also had 13 of San Dieguito’s 15 points in the third quarter. Poway took a 10-point lead 15 seconds into the period on Bill Rarity’s three-point play, but it was all de la Pena and Howard after that. Tim Fleming, who finished with eight points, scored the only other points in the second half.