BOYS’ ROUNDUP : With No Time Left, Western’s Barraza Makes the Winning Free Throw

Western High School senior guard Thomas Barraza, who missed his first free throw with no time left on the clock, made his second to give the Pioneers a 59-58 victory over host Savanna Wednesday night.

Barraza, who suffered through a four-for-19 shooting performance from the field, was fouled when he went up for the game’s last shot with the score tied, 58-58. The victory gives Western (15-1, 3-0 in league), the fourth-ranked team in Orange County, sole possession of first place in the Orange League. Savanna falls to 11-7, 2-1.

“When the game is on the line, I want the ball,” Barraza said. “I knew if I made it, we’d be in first place.”

Savanna led, 51-46, with 5:07 remaining but fell behind, 58-57, on Matt Umbarger’s tip-in with 46 seconds left. Tobie Priest hit the front end of a one-and-one free throw with 21 seconds left to tie the score for Savanna.

Western shot only 37.3% from the field against Savanna’s two-three zone, but the Pioneers got help from 6-foot-7 center Umbarger, who scored 19 points off offensive rebounds. He finished with 11 rebounds.

Steve Belknap came off the bench to lead Savanna with 14 points. Priest and Jeremy Lyche each added 11 points.