Glendale Comes Long Way Back but Falls Short, 49-47

Glendale High tried to dig its way out of a hole Tuesday night but had it cave in on the Dynamiters just as they were climbing over the edge.

The Dynamiters came back from a horrendous first quarter, when they were outscored, 16-2, and had a chance to win in the final seconds.

But Long Beach Jordan forward Chris Sykes sank two free throws with four seconds left to give the Panthers a 49-47 victory in a Southern Section Division I-AA first-round playoff game at Glendale.

Sykes got his chance at the line when Glendale center James Fuller was called for a foul by going over the back of Sykes after a rebound of Dynamiter guard Manny Gonzalez’s missed free throw.

After Sykes made two free throws, Gonzalez had a desperation shot from midcourt bounce off the back of the rim as time expired.

“It was shame to me that a questionable call had to decide a game like this,” Glendale Coach Bob Davidson said. “I can’t imagine a game being decided on a call like that.”

Glendale (20-7) was down, 47-41, with three minutes left when Gonzalez took over. He scored six of his 10 points to tie the score on two free throws with 1:25 left.

But the comeback only wound up setting the stage for Sykes.

“The team just told me to take it easy, that it was no big deal,” Sykes said.

That Glendale was even in the game in the fourth quarter was a shock. Jordan (11-12) started the game with a zone defense, inviting Glendale to shoot from the perimeter, but the Dynamiters missed all seven of their three-point shots in the first quarter.

“It was sheer desperation and willpower that we were able to keep it close and get back into it,” Davidson said. “Two of our best shooters were obviously having off-nights.”

Ramon Jose missed all six of his shots in the first quarter, including four three-pointers, and finished with eight points. Gonzalez missed all four of his three-pointers.

Henrik Bandari scored eight of his 13 points in the second quarter as Glendale closed to within 23-19 at the half.

“We were shooting so bad in the first quarter,” Bandari said. “We had to relax and still be confident, get some kind of offense going. I guess it just wasn’t enough.”

Fuller had 14 points and eight rebounds. O.J. Jenkins didn’t play in the first quarter because of disciplinary reasons, but scored 12 points for Jordan.