SAN LUIS OBISPO – Junior guard Christopher Sanchez hit two foul shots in the game’s final minute to help San Gabriel Academy to a 63-59 victory over host Mission Prep on Saturday night and send the Eagles to a berth in the CIF State Southern California Regional Division V semifinals.
The Eagles had the ball and led by three points when the Royals fouled the Eagles with 43 seconds to play. San Gabriel Academy, 23-9, made both shots and the Royals missed on their field-goal attempt. They fouled Sanchez, who made two foul shots for a five-point lead with 11 seconds to play. Mission Prep, which lost in the CIF-SS Division 5AA title game, hit a 3-pointer and then fouled Sanchez, again, who made two more free throws with 2 seconds to play.
Josh Ajayi had 20 points and and 12 rebounds and Arnas Dautartas 19 points for the Eagles, who play at No. 2 seed Buckley on Tuesday.