Tall Order Too Much for Antelope Valley Christian

The challenge was too steep for Antelope Valley Christian High on Friday.

Price High used decisive advantages in height and speed to defeat the Eagles, 77-60, in the Southern Section Division V-A boys’ basketball championship game at UC Irvine.

Othel Johnson, a 6-foot-5 forward for top-seeded Price, had his way with the second-seeded Eagles, scoring 20 points, grabbing seven rebounds and setting the tone with 14 first-half points.

“Price is a little bit bigger than we are,” said Coach David Nurse of Antelope Valley Christian. “I thought had we boxed out a little better, their size would not have been a problem.”

Antelope Valley Christian (21-3) also lacked depth, getting only two points from its reserves. Price (27-2) got 18 points from its nonstarters, including nine by Andrew Howard.

Howard energized Price in the third quarter, scoring five points and sparking several fastbreaks. Price, which led by six at halftime, outscored the Eagles in the third quarter, 26-16.

“It was almost as if we wrote the script,” Price Coach Michael Lynch said. “The third quarter is always when we open up. I don’t prefer it that way, but it always seems to happen.”

Price led, 51-42, before starting a 9-0 run, punctuated by two transition layups by Mychal Lynch, the coach’s son. Lynch finished with 10 points. Howard scored on a drive to give Price a 62-46 lead.

Antelope Valley Christian was hurt by 21 turnovers.

“We had too many turnovers down the stretch because we were trying to make things happen,” Nurse said. “I think we’re going to be here again. Hopefully, it will be against Price.”

Antelope Valley Christian made it this far in 1996, losing to Pacific Hills in the final, 82-60.

Four starters return next season for the Eagles, including center Peter Beaudin, who scored 23 points on Friday.

“We’ll be back next year . . . guaranteed,” said forward Jamal Flanagan, who scored 15 points for the Eagles. “We’ll get that championship I wanted so bad.”

In the meantime, Antelope Valley Christian will receive a berth in the state Division V tournament, which begins Tuesday.

Christopher Alexander scored 14 points for Price, which won its first section title.