Paraclete’s Foster Puts Valencia in Freeze

NORTH HILLS — Josh Foster’s layup with 32 seconds to play lifted Paraclete High to a 59-56 victory over Valencia in the semifinals of the L.A. Baptist tournament Friday night.

The Spirits will play L.A. Baptist in the championship game at 8 tonight.

After Paraclete’s Travis Jackson made a free throw with 18 seconds left, Valencia played for the last shot but Fabian Leon’s three-point attempt bounced off the rim at the buzzer.

“We knew they were looking for a three,” Paraclete Coach Allen Adams said. “So I told my guys to just keep the pressure on, and whatever you do, don’t foul.”

Foster had 15 points and 13 rebounds for Paraclete (6-4). Jackson and Jason Julius each added 10 points.

Jason Richardson led Valencia (9-3) with 17 points and eight assists, and Jerrohn Jordan and Leon each had 12 points.

Paraclete led by as many as 15 points in the first half, but a 21-11 run in the third quarter pulled the Vikings within 49-47.

With the score tied, 56-56, Foster broke up a pass and scored on an assist from Julius to give Paraclete the lead for good.

Leon was called for traveling and fouled Jackson on the inbounds pass. Jackson sank the second of two free throws.

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In other games:

L.A. Baptist 70, Carpinteria 41--Jermaine Sweet scored 34 points and Aaron Davis had 11 points and eight steals for the Knights (10-1) in the other semifinal.

St. Bonaventure 69, Frazier Mountain 33--Pepe Villasenor scored 15 points and Jake DeGennaro and Joe Byrum each added eight for the Seraphs (6-5) in a fifth-place semifinal.

Poly 62, Holy Martyrs 31--Jonny Lopez scored 13 points and Ellis Richardson added 11 for the Parrots (7-5) in the other fifth-place semifinal.