Orange Lutheran Squeaks past Damien 60-59, Spartans May Still Get State Invite

LA VERNE – All year long, Damien High School played a tough schedule and won its league to justify its position on the CIF open division “watch list.” Last Thursday they found out the made the cut, drawing 12th seeded Orange Lutheran for a first round matchup, a game which Lutheran escaped with a 60-59 victory Thursday night.

“It was disappointing,” Damien coach Matt Dunn said. “I just didn’t feel we played that well. This is still what we wanted to do (Open Division), we just wanted to play better.”

Jeremy Helmsley finished with 22 points four rebounds and two assists to lead the way for Damien (23-4), while Malik Fisk added 12 points and four rebounds.

Damien could not hit the free throws when it counted the most, as Helmsley missed four in a row, and six of its last eight, but still was able to keep close 54-52 with about two minutes to go have a chance. Helmsley made a 3-pointer at the buzzer but it didn’t matter as Lutheran held on to squeak by with the win.

CJ Hankins led Lutheran with 20 points, 16 of which came in the second half. Keisean Lucier-South added 17 points for the Lancers, who will meet Centennial in the next round.

Damien was competitive throughout the game, leading 39-35 halfway through the third, but Lutheran responded with a 7-0 run to retake the lead 42-39. The Lancers never looked back after that.

The winner of the consolation bracket will get an automatic berth to the state tournament, but even if Damien lose to Alemany in the second round, there is most likely a chance the Spartans will still be invited, but that was the least of Dunn’s worries.

“We did not play very well, and at this level if you don’t play very well, this is what happens,” Dunn said. “We didn’t defensive rebound, we didn’t share the ball or shoot the ball well. You add all those things together and this is what you get.”

OTHER SCORES

Girls Division 5A first round – St Bernard 62, La Verne Lutheran 13

UPCOMING GAMES

Boys Divison 3AA second round – Don Lugo at Bonita tonight 7:00 pm