LA MIRADA — In the past two seasons, the La Mirada boys basketball has played in 14 playoff games, which includes two CIF Southern Section championship appearances.
This season, the Matadores’ ending was heartbreak city in their only playoff appearance.
Visiting St. Bernard rallied in regulation and went on to beat La Mirada 72-71 in overtime in the second round of the Division 1 playoffs on Friday night.
It was a brutal end for the Matadores, who had a first-round bye and were playing on a week of rest.
With the game tied 63-63 in regulation, La Mirada freshman sensation Gene Roebuck grabbed a pass at the foul line and rushed to the basket, but his game-winning shot came up short.
Down by one-point in overtime with 4.7 seconds left, again the Matadores got the ball to Roebuck, but he had trouble gathering it and threw up a desperation shot that fell short as time expired, allowing St. Bernard to hold on for the victory.
Final shot attempt by LM falls just a bit short. St. Bernard moves on to Damien next week @SGVNSports pic.twitter.com/mtrCuPg7dK
— Gabriel Duarte (@GabrielNDuarte_) February 10, 2024
NO GOOD: We are going to overtime!!!!
Roebucks attempt no good at the buzzer.
63-63 all. @SGVNSports pic.twitter.com/cqCRmBAM9e
— Gabriel Duarte (@GabrielNDuarte_) February 10, 2024
Roebuck still scored a game-high 43 points, which was a remarkable effort, but it came during a brutal loss after the Matadores had led for much of the game.
St. Bernard advances to Tuesday’s quarterfinals, where it will be on the road against No. 3 Damien.
La Mirada head coach Randy Oronoz says he’s still proud of his team despite the tough loss.
“We knew it was going to be a tough game, any game in division one is,” Oronoz said.
The Matadores led 71-70 with 9.4 seconds left in overtime and had the ball, but they turned the ball over and St. Bernard’s Caleb Versher was fouled with 4.7 seconds left and made both free throws to go ahead by one.
That set the stage for the Matadores’ final possession, and they came up short.
Vikings head coach Tony Bland said the difference was his teams’ experience.
“We just had guys who have been in a moment before,” Bland said.
Versher finished with a team-high 20 points, including the game tying shot in regulation and the game winner with 4.7 seconds left to seal it.
Versher wasn’t the only Vikings player to step up in the clutch, Tajh Ariza finished with 15 points and was tasked with stopping La Mirada’s Roebuck for the final shot
Bland couldn’t help but smile when talking about Ariza’s play.
“He’s top ten in the country for a reason,” Bland said.
La Mirada was in control for the majority of the first half, taking a six point lead into the halftime break.
Roebuck had 17 points at the half, but a big piece for the Matadors, Julien Gomez, seemed to be hobbled.
After the game Oronoz revealed that Gomez was battling through two sprained ankles.
“Julien hasn’t practiced in two weeks, he has two sprained ankles,” Oronoz said. “He was trying to make any play he can.”
POST GAME: Talking with Tajh Ariza after his St. Bernard Vikings move on after defeating La Mirada 72-71. @DamianCalhoun pic.twitter.com/pz8PGzvauH
— Gabriel Duarte (@GabrielNDuarte_) February 10, 2024
During the halftime break, Ariza said Bland’s message to the team was simple.
“Stop playing soft,” Ariza said with a chuckle.
The Vikings came out energized and ready to play coming out the break. Eventually tying the game midway through the third quarter.
From there on out, it was an all out scrap fest as each team was trading blow for blow.
Neither team could separate from each other until Kendyl Sanders fouled out for St. Bernard with 34 seconds left in regulation.
“When Kendyl fouled out and everybody saw him crying on the bench, that’s when I think everyone decided to elevate their game,” Bland said.
The Vikings relied on a few missed free throws by the Matadores to help bring the game to overtime but Versher really stole the show with his two clutch layups late.
“We made a few defensive stops in the end and we were fortunate enough to get the win,” Bland finished with.