Correspondent Steve Brand has highlights from Division V and Division II title games from Jenny Craig Pavilion. In D5 boys, Foothills Christian wins showdown over Maranatha Christian.

By Steve Brand, Special to CalHiSports.com

When Foothills High of El Cajon's Troy Leaf missed two free throws in the second quarter, you could see the disgust on his face.

So when Maranatha Christian (San Diego) fouled him late in the game, he made up for it by burying eight-of-eight to lead the Knights (26-5) to a 60-56 victory at USD's Jenny Craig Pavilion in a San Diego Section Division V title game matching Nos. 2 and 3 in the state.

"In the last three minutes of a game, you can't have anybody better at the line, because whatever else has happened, he blocks it all out of his mind,” said Foothills coach Brad Leaf, Troy's father. "Not many players can do that.”

Leaf, the player who committed to San Diego State as a sophomore last year, explained the difference.

"It's just being confident,” said Troy, whose 19 points led all scorers. "As you saw, there wasn't any doubt (they were going in).”

They had to go in because Maranatha Christian (25-4) simply would not give up.

Chen Cai, the 6-foot-8 sophomore, collected 19 points and eight rebounds but it was the support of David Porter (16 points) and Santiago Simental (15 points) that kept the game within a field goal down the stretch.

Foothills' supporting cast included junior Jvonte Brooks (15 points) and Ryan Smith (10).

Div. II Boys: Hoover (San Diego) 64, Oceanside 42

Angelo Chol, a 6-foot-9 sophomore, moved to within two blocked shots of state record-holder Darnell Robinson of Emeryville (1992) when he collected 11 more in the rout of the Pirates.

"I don't care about the record,” said Chol. "What's important is it influences the game. They had to take outside shots and that's not their game.”

Chol now has 332 blocks with at least one more game on Tuesday at home in the first round of the Southern California Regional playoffs.

Hoover (28-7) defended its section title when it went on an 11-0 run at the start of the fourth quarter to open a 23-point lead before cruising to the title. Dame Ndiaye led the Cardinals with 19 points.

Div. II Girls: West Hills (Santee) 46, Mount Miguel (Spring Valley) 44

Sherika Miller hit a driving layup with 1.3 seconds remaining to give the Wolf Pack the upset victory over the Matadors, ranked No. 9 in the division coming into the game.

West Hills (24-5) forced Mount Miguel to shoot three-pointers while working to get high-percentage baskets. Kimmie Clark (12 points) and Mariah Bennett (11 points) led the Wolf Pack while University of San Diego-bound Danisha Williamson (17 points) paced the Matadors (25-6).

Div. V Girls: Christian Life (Escondido) 54, Vincent Mem. (Calexico) 29

With a 12-0 run to start the second half, the Eagles (22-7) pulled away from the Scots to capture their first section title.

Melanie Lombardi's 17 points led the way as double-doubles by Kimmy Iverson (16 points, 10 rebounds) and Liz Burke (10 and 10) provided support. Claudia Posada paced the Scots (20-6) with 13 points and 10 rebounds.

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