The Menlo boys’ basketball team built a healthy lead in the first half, then held on during a foul-plagued third quarter and The King’s Academy’s late run to win 59-56 Friday at home.
With the victory, the Knights move to 6-2 in West Bay Athletic League play in second with Sacred Heart Prep, and behind Pinewood (7-0). Menlo plays Harker at home at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
“The most important aspect of tonight's game was that we kept our composure during adversity and gutted this one out,” said coach Delandro Leday, whose team improved to 13-5 overall.
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Harris scored 10 of his 12 points in the first quarter to spark Menlo to a 17-8 lead, and a 16-point lead by the half. A foul-plagued third period and a King’s Academy run narrow the gap to eight.
The fourth-quarter was back and forth, then TKA’s Mark Petiti hit a three-pointer to tie the game at 56. Menlo sophomore Bobby Roth drew a foul on the next play and hit his first free throw, and on the rebound of the second attempt, a King’s Academy player stepped on the baseline and the Knights regained possession.
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Sophomore Wes Miller, who was clutch in the fourth quarter, drew a foul and added two free throws.
Final:
Scoring – M: Roth 5 4-6 18, Avis 1 1-2 3, Schmitt 3 2-2 8, Will Miller 2 2-4 6, Coyne 1 0-0 2, Wes Miller 2 4-4 8, Young 1 0-2 2, Harris 5 2-2 12.
Three-point goals: Roth 4.
Total: 20 15-22.
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