Knights' Playoff Run Ends on L.A. Valley Buzzer Beater

San Diego City's hopes for a second state championship ended in heartbreaking fashion on Saturday with Los Angeles Valley winning the sweet sixteen matchup, 83-81, on a buzzer-beating layup in overtime. The Knights had a 14-point lead with less than five minutes left in regulation, but couldn't hang on and saw their 7-game win streak snapped. 

Dominic Hovasse made 5-of-7 from 3-point territory on his way to a team-high 19 points to go with five rebounds. Isaac Davis led the bench with 17 points, seven assists, and three steals. 

Victor Irhirhi had 12 points, six rebounds, and three assists, while Kai Huntsberry provided 10 points and five assists. 

The No. 11-seeded Knights looked as if they were about to pull off an upset of No. 3 L.A. Valley when they took their largest lead of the game, 70-56, on a dunk by Drew Cisse (8 points) with 5:13 left in regulation, but Micah Cooper hit a 3 on the other end to start a Valley rally.

The Monarchs, led by Greg Chew's 22 points, went on a 19-5 run in the final 4:44 and tied the game on a Johnnie Coleman layup with one second left on the clock. 

The Knights made only 1-of-5 field goals during that stretch and missed five of their eight free throw attempts, while also committing four turnovers. Valley, meanwhile, hit 7-of-12 from the field and 3-of-4 from the free throw line during their comeback. 

In overtime, Irhirhi's jumper with 1:18 showing on the game clock put the Knights ahead, 81-80. Kody Knox (16 points) hit 1-of-2 free throws for L.A. Valley on the other end to tie the game with :53 left. 

The Knights had a chance to take the lead, but Huntsberry's layup with :24 was off the mark and the Monarchs went the other way. They held for the final shot and put it in the hands of Coleman who came through for them once again with a layup to win the game as time expired.

It was City's first loss since January 31 and only their second in the final 16 games. The Knights, who made it to the sweet sixteen for the third time in the last four years, finished the 2019-20 season at 25-6 overall.