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La Habra was led by (from left) Acen Jimenez, Ulavai Fetuli, Sebastian Esparza and Joaquin Arciaga in the victory over Canyon. (PHOTO: Tom Connolly, For OC Sports Zone).
Four La Habra High players scored in double figures and the Highlanders ended a four-game slide by defeating Canyon 76-70 in a Crestview League boys basketball game Thursday night at La Habra.
Highlanders junior guard Acen Jimenez led La Habra with 28 points, including 13 points in the final quarter to help fend off the Comanches comeback.
“We’ve had some tough losses on the road recently, so it was good to get back home,” said Jimenez, who converted eight free throws in the final minute of play. “We felt this was a do-or-die game for us. It’s a big win and we have to keep playing like this day in and day out.”
Sebastain Esparza and Joaquin Arciaga also had huge games for the Highlanders (19-8, 3-4) as the pair scored 17 and 14 points, respectively. Both played critical roles down the stretch helping to break the very aggressive Canyon full court press.
“Our defense was the key,” said Esparza. “We remained calm and executed. This win will give us an extra push and confidence.”
“We played hard every quarter and from here out we have to take it one game at a time,” Arciaga said.
La Habra led 50-49 at the start of the fourth quarter but quickly went on a 7-0 run and extended its lead to 57-49 after Jimenez’s two baskets and a free throw and Jaedon Anderson’s two free throws.
However, Canyon (19-8, 4-3), led by Staf Yilmazturk and University of San Diego-commit Brandon Benjamin sparked a furious Comanches rally.
Yilmazturk and Benjamin, who is averaging 31 points per game this season, combined to score 11 of the Canyon’s final 12 points over the final 1:09 of the game. But the Highlanders were up to the challenge as they scored on each of their last eight possessions to secure the win.
Benjamin led all scorers with 31 points. He showcased his excellent play in the paint and his quickness to the basket. Yilmazturk also added 22 points for Canyon. Anderson scored 11 of his 13 points in the second half for La Habra.
Comanches Coach Nate Harrison said La Habra deserved to win.
“This league is a battle every night; give La Habra credit, they made big shots, and their big guy (Ulavai Fetuli) was dominant on the boards,” said Harrison.
“One of our strengths is our rebounding and he made it tough on us. I think this game had extra meaning for La Habra with everything that has occurred this week. The coaches around the league have a close network and Aaron (Riekenberg) is my guy and my heart goes out to the La Habra team, school, administration, students, and their families.”
Thursday was the third time the two teams have met this season with La Habra winning two of the three games.
Canyon led 15-14 after one quarter and Arciaga led the Highlanders charge in the second quarter as La Habra built a 30-25 lead at the half. The Comanches outscored La Habra 10-5 over the final minutes of the third quarter and cut the lead to 50-49 after three quarters.