Seahawks just edge Oilers

When Fabian Luna became head coach of the Huntington Beach High boys’ basketball program three years ago, he said one of his goals was to contact coaches at other area schools in an attempt to schedule games between the local teams.

Ocean View was one of those schools to take up his offer.

Last year, the Oilers and Seahawks met on the hardwood and Huntington came away with a home victory. Monday, the Seahawks returned the favor by welcoming Huntington to the Ocean View gymnasium, then promptly returned the favor.

Avery Johnson took a pass from teammate Anthony Brown and hit a lay-up with five seconds left to provide the winning points as Ocean View edged Huntington, 68-66, in a thrilling neighborhood match-up.

Despite Johnson’s basket, the Seahawks could only watch and hold their collective breath, as the Oilers’ Zach Kimber launched a three-point shot from roughly 30 feet as the final seconds ticked away. Kimber’s shot was on target toward the hoop but it bounced off the backboard, then glanced off the rim, as time expired.

An exasperated Kimber also expired to the floor after his missed attempt, overcome with disappointment in a game where both teams made big runs, countered with key baskets and came up with clutch plays.

“It was as great game and it’s good to have a neighborhood rivalry game like this,” Huntington Coach Fabian Luna said. “We never gave up and both teams exchanged punches.

“But you have to hand it to those guys. They hit some tough shots and responded every time we came right at them. That’s a very good team we just lost to.”

Ocean View Co-head Coach Jimmy Harris felt the same about the Oilers.

“I actually can’t gather my thoughts right now because that was one of those classic games,” he said. “Neither team gave in. I was impressed with Huntington’s offensive sets they had for (David) Swartz and Kimber. They were successful in utilizing their strengths. It was a great game between these schools.”

Ocean View never trailed. On three occasions, the Seahawks led by as many as eight points, the final time after Johnson completed a three-point play with 7:12 left to play to put Ocean View up, 52-44. The Seahawks still led by seven (53-46) with 6:42 remaining but Huntington went on a 11-4 run to tie the score at 57-57 midway through the fourth quarter. Nick Neser hit a pair of three-point shots during the run, the last of which knotted the score. It was the game’s first tie since 5-5 in the first quarter.

Ocean View, which won its fifth-straight game to improve to 13-6 overall, got a three-point shot from Brown to take a 62-59 lead but almost immediately, Kimber hit a smooth three-pointer to draw the Oilers even again (62-all), with 3:13 left. Huntington was down, 66-62, with two minutes left after Brown scored on a follow shot off a Johnson miss, but Swartz hit a bank shot and later scored on a lay-up with 29 seconds left to tie the score, 66-66.

Swartz topped all scorers with 23 points. Kimber had 19 points and Robert Clark 13 more for the Oilers who fell to 16-3.

Brown led three Seahawks in double figures with 22 points. Jones scored 17 and Johnson finished with 16.

Previously, Ocean View ran its Golden West League record to 3-0 Friday by routing host Orange, 73-33. The Seahawks’ defense didn’t give up more than nine points in any quarter. Brown scored 19 points and Billy Keller 11 to lead nine Seahawks in the scoring column.

Huntington, meanwhile, also went to 3-0 in Sea View League action Friday by knocking off visiting Northwood, 62-53. Three Oilers were in double figures with Neser leading the way with 21 points. Kimber had 16 points and Neil Negrete 15 points.

In their second league game Jan. 14, the Oilers outscored host Trabuco Hills by 10 points in the second half, capped by Swartz’s game-winning baseline jumper with five seconds to play, to pull out a 67-66 win. Swartz finished with 20 points and collected 10 rebounds and Kimber led all scorers with 27 points which included five three-point shots.

Ocean View hosts another rival, Westminster, in Golden West League play at 7 p.m. Friday, the same day and time Huntington gets back into Sea View League action with a home game against Woodbridge.

Both the Seahawks and Oilers lead their respective league races.

MIKE SCIACCA covers sports. He can be reached at (714) 966-4611 or by e-mail at michael.sciacca@latimes.com.