Heritage's basketball win is one for the record books, 54-52
Heritage High guard Aaliyah Benavidez celebrates as she helps cut down the net following Saturday's playoff win. (Staff photos) By Doug ...
By Doug Spoon, Editor
The first playoff victory in the history of Heritage High girls basketball was certainly one for the record books. Not so easy on the nerves, but certainly a reason to celebrate in the end.
Senior guard Lauren Pagtakhan sank a jump shot in the key with 8.2 seconds remaining for the winning basket as the Patriots – who trailed almost the entire game – pulled out a 54-52 victory over Artesia in a CIF Division 4AA opener before a boisterous crowd in Heritage’s gym Saturday night.
Heritage took a 2-0 lead but led only one other time at 36-35 before the frantic final moments. The outcome looked in doubt when two Heritage players missed a total of four free throws on consecutive possessions and trailed 50-49 with 53.1 seconds remaining. But that simply set the stage for a wild finish.
Pushing the ball forward on its next possession, Heritage got freshman Sierra Maxwell to the free throw line. She sank the first shot to tie the score and missed the second but rebounded her own miss, leading to a Heritage timeout with 12.6 seconds left to set up a final play.
“Coach drew up a play for a corner shot and it wasn’t open, so Aaliyah passed it to me and I just went in for a floater,” Pagtakhan said. "I caught it at the top of the 3-point line and moved into the key. I didn’t think it was going in. I’ve never made a [last-seconds winning shot] like that.”
Artesia (13-11) barely had time to push the ball upcourt for a desperation shot before the Heritage victory party was under way. In improving their season record to 20-4, the Patriots recorded the program’s first playoff win in eight tries – accomplishing something even the 17-8 team of 2009-10 couldn’t do.
Before being the first player to begin cutting down the nets after the game, Benavidez talked about the physical nature of a game that had her all over the floor – and literally on the floor at least twice after collisions with opponents.
“I’m a senior and I knew this could be my last game, so I just pushed through it,” said Benavidez, who scored 16 points, just behind scoring leader Maxwell’s 19. "I always felt like I had another gear I could hit if I kept pushing through. [Lying on the floor], that was a composure thing right there. I took my time getting up because I just got hammered.”
In a very uncharacteristic first half, the Patriots repeatedly missed easy shots and free throws as Artesia built as much as an 11-point lead. Guard Arianna Rodriguez helped bring Heritage back by sinking a 3-point shot and a layup on consecutive possessions, cutting the deficit to 27-21 with about a minute left. But Heritage trailed 29-22 at halftime and went into the break looking for answers.
“We couldn’t shoot tonight,” said coach Deanna Meijer. “We missed so many layups. I told them at halftime, ‘I don’t even know who this team is.’ But we were confident from the beginning. It was unfortunate our shots weren’t falling, but we kept our confidence and composure. I felt like we were the better team the whole time.”
With Maxwell and Benavidez driving to the basket and drawing fouls, the Patriots picked up the pace in a physical game during the third quarter. Maxwell’s 3-pointer gave Heritage a 36-35 lead – its first since the opening minute. At the end of the period, Artesia led by two at 42-40.
Artesia opened up a six-point lead at 48-42 late in the fourth quarter before the Patriots took a 49-48 lead on a follow shot by Skyla Lamb, a layup by Benavidez, and a 3-point shot by Maxwell.
Heritage will play Bishop Diego of Santa Barbara on the road Wednesday in the second round.
Heritage High freshman guard Sierra Maxwell drives to the basket during Saturday night's victory.
Lauren Pagtakhan leaps over an Artesia defender for a shot during the first half Saturday night.
It was a happy team photo after Heritage won its first CIF playoff game ever Saturday night.
