By Eric Terrazas, SGVN
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LA HABRA – La Mirada High School’s comeback fell short in a 58-50 loss to Capistrano Valley in Wednesday’s pool-play game of the North Orange County Championships at Sonora High.
Khalil Stevenson scored a game-high 16 points for the Matadores (6-2), who finished second in their pool and will play today at 6 p.m. in a consolation bracket game at Troy High.
The trio of Jake Virnig, Jacob Short and Ayman Farah led the victorious Cougars (2-6), who captured first place in the three-team pool.
After falling behind 51-41 in the fourth quarter, La Mirada made a late push by going on a 9-3 run that cut the Cougars’ lead to 54-50.
Charlie Reid paced the Matadores’ surge by scoring four points.
Stevenson also made a three-pointer during the Matadores’ rally.
La Mirada, however, did not draw closer as the Cougars scored the game’s last four points. They included a key lay-up from Sebastian Strickler and Virnig’s two free throws.
Shaky free-throw shooting also hurt the Matadores, who converted just one of 10 chances from the free-throw line.