HS HOOPS: La Canada knocks off nemesis Campball Hall

After being eliminated in the playoffs by Campbell Hall High of North Hollywood twice over the past three basketball seasons, La Canada got some revenge Friday, defeating the host Vikings 65-57 before an overflow crowd in the second round of the Div. III-A.

With crisp execution, impressive teamwork and lots of hustle and determination, La Canada opened a 16-point lead early in the second half and withstood a late Campbell Hall rally that saw the Vikings cut the advantage to two points in the final minute.

But with Campbell Hall (20-8) trailing 57-55, the Spartans (23-4) converted 8 of 10 free throws in the final stretch to eek out the victory.

"We were not going to lose to these guys three times in a row," La Canada's Mike McGlashan said.

McGlashan, a 6-foot-2 junior, scored 24 points, including 9 of 12 free throws in the fourth quarter.

In the final minute, McGlashan was 5 of 6 from the line with two steals.

"Mike was clutch. He doesn't feel the pressure at all," teammate Jeff Grigg said.

In fact, McGlashan said he looks forward to having the basketball when the game is on the line.

"I love pressure, especially at the end," McGlashan said.

Ahead by six points at halftime, La Canada went on an 8-1 run to begin the second half to push the lead to 36-23.

The lead grew to 16 points with just over a minute remaining in the third quarter before Austin McBroom helped spark a comeback. Down by 12 with just over three minutes left, Campbell Hall outscored La Canada 13-3 over the next two minutes, as McBroom scored 10 of his 32 points during the spree.

"Obviously, we knew La Canada had some shooters, so in the beginning the slow pace really helped us," Campbell Hall Steve Wachs said. "In the fourth quarter, it was a great comeback. They were having a really tough time stopping McBroom went he went to the hoop."

McBroom picked up his fifth foul with just over a minute to play, and that took the air out of Campbell Hall.

"We would have preferred to still have him in there," Wachs said.

McBroom, a junior who is among the San Fernando Valley's top scorers with an average of more 20 points, was devastated.

"It's the worst feeling ever, the worst in the world, especially if you love the game," McBroom said. "I hate losing. But we wanted to match their intensity and fight to come back, and we did."

Rocky Moore added 12 points for La Canada, and Dario CiVon added 11.

James Johnson scored 13 for Campbell Hall, but between him and McBroom, the rest of the team totaled just 12 points.

-- Gerry Gittelson