Basketball

Austin Clark Hits Game Winner w/1.6 Seconds to Play; GHS Earns Spot in D-3A Finals After 55-53 Victory Over Citrus Valley

Jun 05 2021 06:56:53

Thanks to Carlo Montalbo for the photos. For additional action shots, please visit his website at https://i4pix.smugmug.com/Sports

Boys Basketball:

Austin Clark sure knows how to finish halves in dramatic fashion.

The Glendora senior hit a long 3-point shot at the buzzer to pull the Tartans to within three points at halftime in Friday’s CIF-SS Division 3A semifinal with visiting Citrus Valley.

Clark, however, saved his best for last.

With the game tied at 53-53, and a scoreboard reading 25 seconds to play, Glendora coach Gordon Hamlow called a timeout to discuss the final possession of regulation.

And while Hamlow is bright and has the luxury of being the son of APU Hall of Famer, Cliff Hamlow, who also happens to be on Gordon’s bench, you didn’t need to be Mike Krzyzewski to know who was going to get the ball.

It was Clark’s game to win.

And he did.

He got the inbound pass from fellow senior Jack Anderson, dribbled to just past the half-court line and stayed patient right in front of the Tartans bench.

With approximately six seconds to play, Clark drove to his right and got a pick from Jack Anderson at the top of the key.

He would take a couple steps to his left, reversing course, and let a floater go in between two Citrus Valley defenders at about the free-throw line.

The ball hit nothing but net and Glendora is headed to their first CIF-SS title game in exactly 20 years.

Just after Clark’s dramatic shot, the Blackhawks called a timeout with 1.6 seconds left.

Citrus Valley’s final heave, however, didn’t get anywhere near the north basket, which set off a big celebration between the GHS players and their classmates on the gym floor.

Clark finished his night with a game-high 25 points, six rebounds and three assists.

Noah Smith ran the offense efficiently and added 15 points, six rebounds and four assists for GHS.

Luke Jacobson chipped in with 11 points, five rebounds and was a force inside.

Every player that saw action contributed something vital to the victory, and that includes Jack Anderson’s steady leadership and defensive presence.

Anderson provided four points, five rebounds and three assists.

 

Up next: GHS will travel to Huntington Beach on Thursday evening to battle Marina.

The Vikings (15-7) defeated Shalhevet, 76-74, in their semifinal-round victory.

Just below are interviews with Coach Hamlow, Austin Clark, Noah Smith and Jack Anderson.

Records: Citrus Valley (10-6); Glendora (22-6)

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