HS HOOPS: Valley Torah loses a tough one

The first California orthodox Jewish school to win a section basketball title, Valley Torah was hoping to ride the mometum in the state tournament before losing in the second round Thursday In Div. V to View Park 69-68 at L.A. Valley College.

Sheldon Wright was fouled by Aaron Liberman with four seconds left, and he made both free throws, as Valley Torah blew a 14-point lead in the second half.

"I don't blame the refs but it was kind of a controversial call," Liberman said. "I was just standing there, and they said my knee his his knee. I didn't think there was any call there."

The gym was packed, as Valley Torah has grabbed hold of the Jewish community through its basketball success.

"There were tons of people there. Almost everyone (on the team) was crying afterward," he said.

Liberman, a 6-9 center, scored 16 points, and teammate Natanel Tzion scored 20.