Charles Rich
The maintenance crew might want to inspect the orange rims and glass
backboards inside the tiny Flintridge Prep gymnasium.
Shots rarely went through the hoop, and, fortunately, didn't
shatter the backboards. Several scoring droughts led to a rousing
final 21 seconds.
Jordan Toyoma scored on a lay-up with 21 seconds left to spur
Flintridge Prep to a 28-27 Prep League home win against Pasadena Poly
on Friday night.
Flintridge Prep (6-4, 1-0 in league) and Pasadena Poly (4-7, 0-3)
combined for a meager 21 baskets. If anything, the missed shots
helped improve the rebounding statistics for each team.
It wasn't the kind of effort that Flintridge Prep Coach Kenny
Fisher expected.
"We were very sloppy, but I'll take the win," said Fisher, who has
guided the Rebels to three consecutive league titles. "We didn't do
the basic fundamentals well, and we are going to have to play better
if we expect to win league again.
"We missed a lot of easy shots, and made too many defensive
mistakes."
For all of Pasadena Poly's offensive deficiencies, it managed to
take a 27-26 lead when MacKenzi Kawachi made a three-pointer with 28
seconds remaining. It would be the only time the Panthers would lead,
despite 15 points from Kawachi.
Toyoma, a sophomore guard, then split two Pasadena Poly defenders
to score the game-winning basket.
Flintridge Prep sophomore forward Laurel Myers finished with seven
points and a game-high 15 points. The Rebels recorded 44 rebounds,
including eight each from Chloe Wayne and Christina Watson.
Courtney Robinson led the Rebels with four assists.
* CHARLES RICH covers sports. He can be reached at (818)
637-3228 or by e-mail at charles.rich@latimes.com.
