IRVINE (CA) - Tuesday night was a thriller to say the least.  San Gabriel Academy jumped out early against Crean Lutheran in the CIF-SS quarterfinal with great defense and a lot of action on the offensive boards to take advantage of second chance shots.  San Gabriel kept the energy high with a ton of support from a nice-sized traveling crowd in Crean Lutheran's home gym.  

San Gabriel hit several shots early in the match at the top of the key, along with great post action play to keep Crean on their heels.  The Crean Lutheran Saints looked flat in the first two quarters, but they managed to keep the game within 8 points by halftime due to a lot of action at the free throw line.  

After some key halftime adjustments by Crean Lutheran coach Josh Beaty, the Saints came out strong in the second half, placing full court pressure on the ball.   With a few early second half turnovers by San Gabriel and both of San Gabriel's big men in early foul trouble, there was room for Jake Conerty (18 points) and Isaiah Johnson (13 points) to go to work.

The stellar second half play on defense by the Saints helped them close the gap on San Gabriel.  Sophmore guard  Derek Bagatourian took three charges in a span of 5 minutes, and this was the much needed momentum swing for the Saints.  A crowd-shaking tip jam mid-3rd quarter by Isaiah Johnson was the spark that gave the Saints fans hope that they may actually take the lead, and eventually win the game.  

A late basket by Junior Chris Swardstrom tied the game 40-40 with under 20 seconds left.  After a quick turnover by San Gabriel, the Saints got the ball back with 2.7 seconds left.  Conerty delivered a full-court pass to Isaiah Johnson - Johnson on his way out of bounds made a perfect pass to Swardstrom, who sank the contested jumper at the buzzer, getting mobbed by the Saints students thereafter. 

“That’s the way coach drew it up and we ran the play,” said Swardstrom. “I got an open shot, so I shot it.”

What a play.  

The Saints 42-40 victory over San Gabriel Academy in the quarterfinals of the CIF-SS 3AA playoffs gives them a shot at the semifinals next week.  The Saints will face St. Anthony Friday night in Long Beach.