Third Time's a Charm as Nogales Beat Duarte 59-56 in Overtime

LA PUENTE – The third time’s a charm, as the Nogales Nobles boys basketball team was finally able to best the visiting Duarte Falcons in overtime 59-56 Friday night In a key Montview League matchup.

Duarte defeated Nogales in two previous meetings earlier in the year, so the win was a welcome sight for Nogales, especially for senior guard Dale Batac.

Batac led all players with 30 points, while Matthew Frazier added 10 points and 15 rebounds.

“We’ve been trying to beat them,” he said. “We lost to them twice already and wanted to get them back, and finally did.”

The senior guard made the shot at the buzzer to bring Nogales to overtime, and scored all the points in the extra session, although initially the final shot was thought to be a 3-pointer but ruled a 2 pointer.

“I thought I hit the 3,” Batac said, “but they called it a two and I had to accept it.”

Duarte opened the game scoring four straight points, but neither team could find the basket in the first quarter as Nogales squeaked past the Falcons to take a 9-6 lead to end the first quarter.

Danny Pina led the visitors with 26 points, while Eli Baxter chipped in 17. Devon Hemsley had five points, but was a force on the boards with 25 rebounds, 11 offensively.

Baxter made a key 3-pointer in the fourth quarter with 2:05 left to play to give Duarte a 52-43 lead. That was when Nogales went to work.

Joshua Baluyot made his only points of the game (a 3-pointer and a layup) to trim the lead to 52-48 with about 1:15 to go in the quarter. Batac then was fouled on a shot attempted and completed the three-point play to bring Nogales to 52-51.

Nogales (18-7, 6-2) wraps up league play next week against Sierra Vista and Azusa.

Photo: Nogales supporters storm the floor to celebrate the victory with players

OTHER SCORES

HACIENDA LEAGUE:

Diamond Ranch 64, West Covina 55

Walnut 44, Charter Oak 48

PALOMARES LEAGUE:

Diamond Bar 60, Ayala 58