High school boys basketball: Juan Diego center hits big free throws in win

DRAPER — When Juan Diego needs a big outside shot or a key free throw, center Trever McFalls knows he isn't his team's first option.

The 6-foot-7 senior is relied upon for his inside play, rebounding, defense and toughness. But with the Soaring Eagle struggling to close out Morgan in a Region 11 game on Wednesday night, they gave McFalls a chance to nail a couple of foul shots for some breathing room — and he came through.

McFalls clanked in a couple of free throws in the final minute to help Juan Diego to a 46-39 win over the Trojans, helping the Soaring Eagle extend their winning streak to five games.

McFalls' two free throws in the final minute gave Juan Diego a 41-37 lead. Morgan failed to tie the game on two straight possessions while trailing 39-37, and the Trojans fouled McFalls when he got the ball at the top of the key.

"When we were warming up, Coach told me to think about the free throws now and hit them later in the game," McFalls said. "It was pretty much focusing and trying to stick in there in the last minute of the game."

Juan Diego assistant coach Ben Metheson said his team talked about believing in each other before the game. They certainly had to down the stretch, as leading scorer Ajay Pizza fouled out with 2:09 left in the game. Guard Morgan Hesleph believed in McFalls to pass it to him, knowing he'd get fouled, and the Soaring Eagle weren't disappointed with the results.

"Trever stepped right up and knocked them … halfway in," said a laughing Metheson.

It didn't look like the game was going down to the wire for much of the contest, as the Soaring Eagle were mostly in control. They held Morgan to 12 points in the first half, and layups by Mark Krueger and Hesleph to open the second half gave Juan Diego a nine-point lead.

The Trojans battled back. Braden Saunders hit a couple of 3-pointers during a 10-2 run late in the third quarter. Morgan twice got within two points in the fourth quarter, but just couldn't get over the hump against 3A's fourth-ranked team.

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