LA HABRA – Of course Acen Jimenez was going to take the shot.
“I wanted that,” said Jimenez, La Habra’s junior point guard. “That was my time.”
Time was running out. So Jimenez, getting the ball in the back court with only a few seconds remaining, sprinted up court, pulled up to take a 13-foot jump shot and made it at the final buzzer to get the Highlanders a 56-55 win over Crean Lutheran in a Crestview League boys basketball game Tuesday at La Habra High.
Jimenez had a fairly open look at the basket.
“If I’ve got three people on me,” he said, “I’m going to dish it out. But I really wanted that shot.”
La Habra, No. 6 in the Orange County Top 25, is 18-4 overall and 2-0 in the Crestview League. No. 12 Crean Luthera is 6-9 overall and 0-1 in the five-team league.
It’s a great league, newly formed before this season. Also in it are county No. 7 Canyon, No. 13 Foothill and No. 15 Cypress (Canyon beat Cypress in overtime Tuesday).
Crean Lutheran trailed by 20 points early in the third quarter. Saints coach Nate Klitzing called time out. He shifted his team’s defense from man-to-man to zone.
And the Saints, led by 6-7 junior Jacob Majok, got hot. They outscored the Highlanders 18-6 in the rest of the third quarter and trailed 43-35 going into the fourth quarter.
Crean Lutheran continued the momentum in the final quarter. The Saints had a 53-48 lead with 37 seconds to go.
Jimenez made a 3-point jumper with two defenders very close to him this time to make it 53-51. La Habra senior Jaedon Anderson, regarded by his teammates as their best shooter, made a 3-pointer from the corner to put the Highlanders on top 54-53.
Anderson’s 3 started a La Habra celebration. Too soon, though. Crean Lutheran kept playing and quickly at the other end Matt Ciftcikara made a layup for a 55-54 Saints lead.
La Habra called time out, and Jimenez’ winning jump shot followed.
“Twenty-four (Jimenez’ uniform number) is a special kid, a special player,” said La Habra coach Aaron Riekenberg. “He’s made for these moments.”
“You’ve got to stay cool under pressure,” Jimenez said. “And that’s what I did.”
Jimenez, All-Orange County first team last season, scored 19 points. He is averaging 21 points and five assists a game. La Habra senior guard Sebastian Esparza scored 11 points including three 3-pointers in the first quarter.
Majok, All-County fourth team last season and vastly improved this season, scored 22 points with 14 rebounds and three blocks. Saints sophomore guard Hunter Caplan scored nine of his 13 points in the fourth quarter and Crean senior guard Nez Reynolds scored 10 points.
Before the game La Habra unveiled its CIF-SS boys basketball championship banner that commemorates last season’s CIF-SS Division 3AA title, the school’s first CIF championship in the sport.
Also in the Crestview League:
No. 7 Canyon 63, No. 15 Cypress 61 (OT): Brandon Benjamin’s 27 points led visiting Canyon (14-4, 1-0).
Ryan Gov scored 22 points with three 3-pointers for Cypress (14-8, 0-2).
In the Empire League:
Tustin 67, Calvary Chapel 57: Daniel Molina scored 18 points, Ethan Contreras scored 16 points with eight assists, Moe Hernandez scored 14 points and Terrelle Morales scored 11 points with 10 rebounds for the Tillers (15-6, 1-0).
In nonleague:
No. 13 Foothill 69, Beckman 65: Danny Kennard scored 24 points with 12 rebounds and four blocks for the Knights (13-6).
