ORANGE COUNTY PREP BASKETBALL : Freeway League : Troy Hangs On to Edge Buena Park

Troy High School held off a late surge by Buena Park Wednesday night to gain a 40-38 victory and sole possession of first place in the Freeway League.

The Warriors (3-0, 9-7) made only one field goal in the final quarter and saw a nine-point lead nearly evaporate. Buena Park (2-1, 6-9) cut the deficit to one point with 32 seconds left after guard Gary Hunter scored, but it was as close as the Coyotes could get.

The Coyotes, defending league champions, had a chance to take the lead when Troy turned the ball over two seconds after Hunter’s shot. But Hunter committed an offensive foul and Troy guard Steve Shirley made a free throw to give the Warriors a cushion.

Still, the game wasn’t over. Hunter and teammate Shaun Riley took had high-percentage shots that could have tied the game in the final eight eight seconds, but both missed and Troy ran out the clock.

“We had our chances,” said Ken Bell, Buena Park coach. “We did everything we wanted to do in the final two minutes, but the shots wouldn’t go in. I’m proud of my players. They didn’t give up when they were down by nine.”

Troy appeared to have the game in control with 1:43 left after guard Mike Picciotta scored on a layup for a 39-34 lead. But Warrior Coach Mike Williams said he wasn’t overly confident.

“One thing about Buena Park, they never give up,” Williams said. “I thought if we would have played better defense and rebounded better, the score wouldn’t have been so close.”

The Warriors made a significant adjustment in the second half that changed the game’s complexion. Troy’s best player, Rob Burrer, took only two shots in the first half because he wasn’t getting the ball.

The plan was to go to Burrer, a 6-foot 4-inch senior, in the second half and he responded. He scored 9 of his 11 points after halftime. He also finished with 15 rebounds. Picciotta added 17 points for Troy, and Tony Toscano paced the Coyotes with 11 points and 10 rebounds.