Free throws lift HB South

Sam Lacavera hit three free throws with six seconds to play to lift

Huntington Beach South past its Huntington Beach rival from the

North, 37-35, in boys’ seventh-grade All-Net Division National Junior

Basketball action.

Lacavera’s three free throws -- he was fouled behind the

three-point line -- capped a strong performance by Huntington Beach

South at the foul line.

South hit 16 of 23 free throw attempts in the game.

South, which has relied on strong shooting from the perimeter this

year, was cold from the floor at the game’s outset and trailed North

at the half.

It wasn’t until a second half full-court press by South swung the

game’s momentum in its favor.

Lacavera, Garrett Heckel and Scott Marcin led South’s defensive

charge with several key steals in the fourth quarter.

In his All-Net Division debut, Heckel finished with seven points.

Lacavera’s 10 points paced all scorers. Connor Hughes and Austin

Kaneko each scored six points, Cole Farmer posted four points and

Mike Moore and Sean Guite each scored two points for South, which ran

its record to 4-1 overall.

In other NJB boys’ play:

Huntington Beach South

Division 1

Team No. 3 33, Team No. 7 22

Team No. 3 used a pressing defense and took advantage of several

fastbreak opportunities to post an 11-point victory.

Kekai Kamai led the winners with 12 points while Jimmy Fay and

James Hensley each scored six points, Reed Thomas scored five and

Aaron Class and Chris Czerniachowski each had a basket.

The defensive efforts of Keaton Celinder and Bijan Nafison helped

Team 3, coached by Dale and Michael Hensley, even its record at 2-2.

Huntington Beach North

Warriors 53, Vikings 43

Brett Bonnani scored a game-high 24 points to lead the Warriors in

scoring.

Zachary Gates’ big game consisted of 20 points and a team-best

nine rebounds, Peter Russo scored four points, Jake Wilson had three

assists and several steals, Jonathon Lai had five rebounds, Michael

Meagher had two rebounds, Tyler Hammock had two rebounds and a pair

of steals and Andrew Bogard scored two points.