Orange County : PREP BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS : 1-A : Whittier Christian Eliminated

Javier Montenegro made a driving layup with 17 seconds left and a free throw 15 seconds later to give Cathedral High a 69-66 upset win over Whittier Christian in a Southern Section 1-A first-round playoff game Friday at Los Angeles Chiropractic College.

Montenegro’s late points capped a Cathedral comeback in which the Phantoms (20-6) outscored the Heralds, 26-10, in the fourth quarter to overcome a 56-43 Whittier Christian lead. Montenegro finished the game with 24 points.

“Our 1-2-1-1 zone press is what did it for us,” said Cathedral Coach Mike Miller. “I didn’t think we hustled at all in the first half, but when we put on the press in the fourth quarter, that turned things around for us.”

Erik Martin led Whittier Christian (17-7) with 26 points, 18 in the first half. Scott Ferguson added 13.

Ice Williams had 15 points and freshman guard Randy Horn 10 for Cathedral.

Bellarmine-Jefferson 79, Orange 61--Geoff McArthur scored 31 points, but it wasn’t enough for Orange Lutheran at Bell-Jefferson. Orange Lutheran ended the season 17-7. Bell-Jefferson is 17-6.