Last Two of 42 Points by Frutos Say Good Night to Morningside

Ryan Frutos, who scored 42 points, made two free throws with two seconds to play to give Santa Paula High a 73-71 victory over Morningside in a first-round game of the Southern Section Division III-AA boys’ basketball playoffs Wednesday night at Santa Paula.

Frutos made 25 of 29 free throws, shooting 24 in the fourth quarter.

“I was getting nervous at the end, but I just wanted to hit them,” said Frutos, who had seven steals.

The Cardinals (16-11) took a 26-15 lead after the first quarter, but the Monarchs chipped away until Khali Young’s layup tied the score, 71-71, with nine seconds to play.

Luis Rico had 15 points for Santa Paula.

Morningside (12-14) nearly pulled out a victory with a balanced attack. Young scored 18 points, Marlon Brisco had 17 points, Daniel Campbell added 13 and Praise Odiakosa had 11.

“I knew we could win if we didn’t let them run on us,” Santa Paula Coach Tom Donahue said. “Our team came out shaky in the third quarter, but [overall] we did a really good job.”