FREEWAY LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Buena Park, Clarkson Survive Two Overtimes

Guard Joe Clarkson, playing the best game of his career, scored 25 points and made some clutch free throws in the second overtime to give Buena Park a 60-55 victory over visiting Sunny Hills Friday night in a Freeway League game.

Clarkson made five three-point shots in the game and hit four free throws in the second overtime as Buena Park (14-3, 3-0 in league) moved into sole possession of first place in the six-team league. Sunny Hills (13-4, 1-2) lost for the second time this week.

Buena Park outscored Sunny Hills, 12-7, in the second overtime, scoring six consecutive points to finally settle the game between two evenly matched teams. Sunny Hills forward Terry Mann sent the game into overtime when he rebounded a missed shot by teammate Kevin Garrand and scored at the buzzer.

But Mann fouled out early in the first overtime and Sunny Hills had to rely on the three-point shooting of guard Kevin Christian to stay close. Christian had six three-pointers and finished as the top scorer for Sunny Hills with 19 points.

“We wanted to go inside and get Mann out of the game,” said Buena Park Coach Ed Matillo. “It obviously helped us in the two overtimes with him on the bench. I thought the first half they shot well and then we got our offense going in the second half.”

Forward Angel Barrios had a big second half for Buena Park, scoring 11 points after missing his only shot attempt in the first half. But Barrios also had an opportunity to win the game in the first overtime, but he struggled to make only two of eight free throws.

Sunny Hills Coach Steve White said he expected Barrios to be a factor, but he was surprised by Clarkson’s play.

“He broke our backs,” White said. “We’re just not moving like we did earlier this year. We moved the ball around in slow motion in the second half. Now, we’re in a position where we’re going to have to win the remainder of our games if we want to win the league.”

Sunny Hills held a 26-17 lead at halftime. The Lancers were hot in the second quarter, hitting seven of 10 shots and appeared to have Buena Park on the ropes.

But poor free-throw shooting proved to be Sunny Hills’ undoing. The Lancers made only nine of 22 attempts but still managed to stay in the game thanks to Christian’s three-point shooting.

Buena Park rallied in the second half behind Barrios and appeared to be heading for a victory in regulation play when Barrios scored on a follow shot with 2:44 remaining to give the Coyotes a 41-36 lead.

In other league games:

Fullerton 67, La Habra 51--Junior center Chad Murray scored 34 points and pulled down 11 rebounds for the host Indians (6-12, 1-2). Mike Roland led La Habra (3-13, 0-3) with 17.

Sonora 68, Troy 56--Chris St. Clair scored 22 points and Chris Campbell added 19 for visiting Sonora (2-1 in league). Jim Falletta had 15 points and 14 rebounds for Troy (12-6, 2-1).