Henson’s 29 Points Pace Bassett to a 77-73 Victory Over St. Paul

Robert Henson scored a game-high 29 points before fouling out with 3:21 to play as La Puente Bassett High defeated Sante Fe Springs St. Paul, 77-73, in the Southern Section Division IV-AA championship game at UC Irvine’s Bren Center Friday night.

Bassett (16-12) won its first-ever section title, but the victory did not come easily. Before the Olympians knew what hit them, they trailed, 21-9, late in the first quarter.

“We were very concerned,” Henson said. “We had to pick up our defense.”

Henson, a 6-foot-5 senior, led the charge back as Bassett outscored St. Paul, 13-2, and took a 42-37 lead by halftime. Henson scored 16 of his 22 first-half points in the second quarter.

Emmery Thompson led Bassett in the second half, scoring 17 of his 28 points.

After trailing by 14 going into the fourth quarter, the Swordsmen cut their deficit to 72-71 with 1:19 to play. But Bassett hit five of seven free throws in the final minute to clinch the title.

Jason Reynolds led St. Paul (16-12) with 22 points.