Cantwell-Sacred Heart’s Andrew Martinez goes to block a shot by St. Paul’s Martin Urbina during Wednesday’s game. (Leo Jarzomb / Staff Photographer)

By Eric Terrazas, SGVN
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SANTA FE SPRINGS – St. Paul High School finished strong and emerged with a 53-48 boys basketball victory Wednesday over Camino Real League rival Cantwell Sacred Heart.

Josiah Corona scored 18 points to lead the host Swordsmen, who won by going on a game-ending 18-9 run.

St. Paul (11-10 overall, 4-1 league) grabbed a share of first place with Cantwell (13-8, 4-1) in the league standings.

“The thing about league is that you don’t win it in the middle of January. You win it at the end,” St. Paul assistant coach Jerome Orbita said. “We still have five games left. We have a tough game against St. Monica next. We’re only worried about that right now.

“We were really happy with our defensive effort.”

After a jumper by Cantwell’s Antonio Cortez gave the visiting Cardinals a 39-35 lead in the early stages of the fourth quarter, the Swordsmen responded with their winning surge.

Andrew Garcia started the St. Paul rally with a successful jumper that started a 10-0 run.

Henry Llera played a key role for the Swordsmen, scoring seven points in the fourth quarter. He finished with 12 points.