SOUTHERN SECTION BOYS’ BASKETBALL ROUNDUP : Mustafa, Barron Lead Santa Clara to IV-AA Title

Santa Clara defeated Downey Pius X, 55-50, to win its fourth consecutive Southern Section title in the IV-AA Division final Friday night at Ventura College.

Isaiah Mustafa scored 15 points and Art Barron had 14 for Santa Clara (25-3), which had won its quarterfinal and semifinal games by four and two points.

“This has been real rough,” Coach Lou Cvijanovich said. “This is the hardest playoff we’ve been through.”

Chris Cole had 12 points and Steve Amar nine.

Jacobi Thompson led Pius X with 17 points.

Santa Clara took a 48-45 lead with 2 minutes 11 seconds left after Cole--who also had 16 rebounds--converted a three-point play after being fouled on a lay-up.

Barron made three of four free throws, Pius X (22-6) committed three turnovers and the Saints extended their lead to 55-47 with five seconds to play.

“They had more patience than we did,” Pius X Coach Dennis Gienger said. “On their end, they would pass, pass, pass. On the other end, we came down and shot too quickly.

“But that’s their strength. They’re a very disciplined team. They’ve played in these games before.”

The lead changed six times during the second half. The Warriors trailed by as many as eight points in the first half and trailed by six at halftime.

Santa Clara led, 28-22, at halftime. Pius X took its first lead of the game, 13-11, on the first basket of the second quarter.

Ribet Academy 50, Bel-Air Prep 47--Trailing 40-38, Bel-Air Prep’s Danny Brummel made a short jump shot with five seconds left in regulation to send the game into overtime in a V-A Division contest at Murphy High.

Orville Turner had 22 points for 14 rebounds for Ribet Academy (20-6), the defending State champion.

Brummel also had 13 rebounds and Dana Johnson had a team-high 14 points for Bel-Air (18-10).

Crossroads 74, Serra 67--Santa Monica Crossroads won in the Division V-A game at Santa Monica College.

Austin Croshere had 26 points and Bakir Allen had 24 points for Crossroads (18-8).

Gardena Serra is (14-16).