396 x 3 = No. 1

The prep national record for three-point baskets in a single season belongs to the Marina High boys’ basketball program.

The 2006-07 Vikings established the national standard for three-pointers on Friday during an exciting 105-101 Sunset League victory against visiting Edison before a packed gymnasium at Marina.

Marina attempted 49 shots from beyond the arc, hitting 18 of them to give the team 384, which broke the previous single-season national record of 382, set during the 1996-97 season by Juniata Valley of Alexandria, Pa.

The Vikings had set the state record for three-pointers during a Jan. 10 Sunset League win against Esperanza.

Both the state and national records were set on the Vikings’ home floor.

Guard David Vo hit the record-tying shot near the end of the third quarter Friday, and senior guard Mike Kinoshita — who hit the state record-tying three-pointer on Jan. 10 — netted the national record-setting trey at the 5:50 mark of the fourth quarter.

Those in attendance knew where the Vikings stood in regards to three-point shots. The Marina cheerleaders had a countdown tote board that showed the crowd where the Vikings were in their chase for the record.

The Marina gym erupted when the record was broken.

“The place was packed with more students than have ever been to a Marina game in my 13 years,” Marina Coach Roger Holmes said. “When Mike hit the shot, everyone knew it was for the record. It was deafening.”

“I thought it was pretty cool,” Kinoshita said of hitting the record-setting shot. “Everybody was talking about the record at school the day of the game and the bleachers were full. It was awesome. Some friends of mine had caught the shot on tape on their cell phone, and I’ve watched it a few times. I’ll always remember that shot.”

Edison, though, hung tough and led, 100-99, with 40 seconds left. But Brendan Holmes — the coach’s son — hit Marina’s 18th three of the night and was fouled on the play, sinking his free throw. Sophomore guard Garrett James, whose trey set the state record back on Jan. 10, added two more free throws to complete the record-setting victory.

On Tuesday, Marina hit 12 more three-point shots to up their record-total to 396 but the Vikings lost 72-60 to visiting Newport Harbor in a game between two teams fighting for second place. The Vikings, who were 12 of 48 from the arc, never mounted any serious run in the second half, yet fought back to tie the Sailors at 51, and again at 53 with just under five minutes to play. Newport, however, went on a 10-1 run to take control of the game.

It was the second-fewest points scored this year by the Vikings, who on Jan. 10 were held to 57 by Newport Harbor.

James led Marina with 17 points, six assists and four steals. Kinoshita scored 13 points and had three steals.

Marina Coach Roger Holmes, who implemented a new offense called “The System” this year, thought the Vikings could challenge both the state and national records.

“I thought that it was a possibility, but never set out to do it,” he said. “If we stayed true to the system all year, there was a very good chance for the state record. The national record is an amazing accomplishment, because you have to be very consistent all year, every game and we have done that.”

As for going after the national mark, Holmes said the season’s journey, which continues today at Fountain Valley and next week with the CIF playoffs, has been the fun part.

“It was something that we looked at as a fun chase,” he said. “We talk numbers all of the time, and that was one of them. The kids were very fired up to go for it.

“The record could not have been accomplished without the incredible dedication and hard work of the guys that get our shooters open,” Holmes said in reference to his roster.

“Mike (Kinoshita) and Troy (Lewis) make the threes, but there are many kids that complete ‘The System’ with their never-ending hustle and unselfish play.”