Braves suffer tough overtime loss against MVC

Mount Vernon Christian played well but needed an almost miracle to edge La Conner 65-61 in boys' hoops action at their home court Saturday.

The Braves (3-5) had seemingly won the game when Isa Gonzales-Rojas sank two of three free throw attempts for a 56-55 lead with two seconds remaining in regulation. He had been fouled on a desperation three-point heave from midcourt.

The winds of fortune then shifted in favor of the Hurricanes.

Referees nixed the second of Gonzales-Rojas' made free throws by whistling La Conner for a lane violation, sending the contest into overtime tied at 55-55.

Mount Vernon Christian took advantage of the call and pulled away in the extra session.

La Conner played the final two minutes of overtime without Braden Thomas The senior transfer fouled out after his tip-in knotted the score 57-57.

Thomas had scored 44 points in his La Conner debut, a 95-14 road romp past Chief Kitsap Friday.

La Conner closed to 62-61 on successive scores by Cole Medeiros and C.J Edwards. The team earlier appeared on the verge of a blowout win, bolting to a 15-2 first period lead.

Thomas, Edwards and Isaiah Price buried perimeter treys during that stretch. Ivory Damien drained a 15-foot jumper and Price worked inside for a putback.

The tide turned after Thomas knocked down a turn-around jumper for a 19-6 lead at 6:30 before intermission.

MVC responded with a 13-4 run that narrowed the deficit to 23-19.

Price answered with a trey and bucket in the paint and Logan Burks meshed a short jumper for a 30-25 Braves halftime lead.

The Hurricanes' 6'6", 225-pound senior post Liam Millenaar spurred the second quarter MVC comeback with three hoops in the paint, including a deft reverse layup that cut La Conner's lead to 25-23 with less than a minute remaining.

In an omen of things to come, Damien had a driving shot in the lane to open the third quarter waved off for traveling. Still, he soon nailed a three-pointer to offset a DeJong spin move and keep the visitors in front, 33-29.

A layup, free throw and two close-range scores by MVC gave them a 38-35 lead entering the fourth quarter.

The score then went back and forth. Price lifted the visitors to 45-43 with an 18-foot jump shot off a nice feed from Damien. MVC recaptured the lead at 47-45 on two straight baskets.

Thomas brought La Conner ahead at 54-51 with 1:20 to play on a pair of three-pointers and a foul shot. Again, setting the stage for the finish, a second Thomas free throw was denied due to a lane violation.

MVC re-took the lead at 55-54 with just three seconds on the clock after two consecutive baskets.

Gonzales-Rojas was then fouled attempting a game-winning three-point shot. He saw his first free throw rim out, but then sank the next two shots – the second apparently winning for La Conner.

La Conner was scheduled at home yesterday, Dec. 20, opposite Clallam Bay. The Braves have another non-league matchup at Landy James Gym today, 5 p.m., with Providence Classical Christian.