Matt McClenathen silenced a raucous high school gymnasium in Garden Grove on Wednesday, getting the second of two put-backs to fall with five seconds left in Dos Pueblos’ CIF playoff opener.
The bucket gave the Chargers a one-point lead and a 55-54 postseason victory over Garden Grove, Dos Pueblos’ first road playoff win under head coach Joe Zamora.
“It was wild, especially down the stretch,” Zamora said, calling the crowd “boisterous.” “They were so loud.”
Dos Pueblos faced a five-point deficit with just over a minute to go but converted off of two turnovers to pull within one at 54-53. With eight seconds on the clock, Zamora called a play to get an open look for wingman Jay Larinan.
The shot didn’t go, but McClenathen was there to clean up the boards and get the neccessary bucket.
The Argonauts had one last chance but Jay Larinan stole the inbounds pass and was able to run out the clock.
“I’m really happy for them,” said Zamora, whose team has now played in four 1-point contests this season.
The Chargers beat Agoura by the same score, 55-54, earlier this season. DP also lost out to Saugus 65-64 but beat Buena 61-60 in the second-to-last game of the regular season.
The Chargers had three scorers in double figures, led by Larinan’s 17. McClenathen and Malik Heptot added 12 each. Zamora credited his point guard Pablo Miranda with providing the steady hand throughout.
The reward for the exciting victory is top-seeded Eisenhower on Friday to be played at Sovine Gym.
DOS PUEBLOS 55, GARDEN GROVE 54
DOS PUEBLOS – Arroyo 2, Miranda 5, McClenathen 12, Nelson 4, Larinan 17, Heptot 12, Gomez 1, Mestas 2. Totals – 24 FG, 7-11 FT, 55
GARDEN GROVE — Long 10, Buth 2, Webb 12, Murray 2, Young 6, Biggs 16, Durham 8. Totals -26 FG, 10-18 FT, 54
Dos Pueblos 14 11 16 14 – 55
Garden Grove 10 16 17 11 – 54
3-ptrs – GG 6 ( Long 2, Bigs 3, Durham 1), DP 0. Total Fouls – DP 16, GG 8. Fouled Out – Heptot
