Culver City High School power forward Aamahd Walker blocked a five-foot shot to preserve a 57-56 win over Locke High School in the championship game of the Los Angeles Watts Summer Games (silver division).
Pressure defense resulted in Locke turnovers and a 9-0 Centaur lead, which expanded to 33-19 at halftime.
Culver City led 43-34 after three quarters, but a 22-point fourth quarter gave the Saints a 56-54 advantage with 12 seconds left.
Culver City’s best outside shooter, Keilan Horton, dished to a wide open Sal De Leon at the three-point line with nine seconds left. His high-arcing shot hit nothing but net for a one-point Centaur lead.
Locke pushed the ball down court and took a shot inside the key that bounced off the rim. Then, a Locke tip rolled off the rim and with one second left, Locke’s center put up a five-foot shot that was blocked by Walker.
Locke dominated the offensive boards throughout the second half. Only two of the team’s 25 field goals were from outside the key.
“We will work on that part of our game this summer and I expect the players will bottle up the key on future opponents,” said assistant Culver City coach David Gordon.
Walker led the team in hustle points (rebounds, assists, steals) with 53. Horton pitched in 32, J.R. Montgomery 21 and Terrence Curry 19.