ANAHEIM >> Foothill boys basketball coach Yousof Etemadi said holding Canyon – usually a high-scoring team – to below 50 points would be key for his Knights in Friday’s Crestview League game at Canyon High School.
The game plan worked.
The Knights, who led by the slimmest of margins for most of the game, held Canyon’s top scorers to well below their averages, which was the main factor in their 49-46 victory.
Foothill forward Colin Holt reacts after making a basket late in the fourth period against Canyon in a Crestview League game in Anaheim on Friday, January 14, 2022. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Foothill guard Tyler Ammann jumps up as he cheers with other Foothill players late in the fourth period in a Crestview League game against Canyon in Anaheim on Friday, January 14, 2022. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Canyon center Brandon Benjamin (24) can’t take a shot with Foothill forward Braedyn Bernhard blocking his path in a Crestview League game in Anaheim on Friday, January 14, 2022. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Foothill guard Jacob Horton, left, drives past Canyon guard Pasha Golestaneh, right, to score a basket in a Crestview League game in Anaheim on Friday, January 14, 2022. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Canyon guard Jaden Goodall, right, moves around Foothill forward Braedyn Bernhard, left, to take a shot for a basket in a Crestview League game in Anaheim on Friday, January 14, 2022. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Canyon forward Tyler Howard, center, is able to keep control of the ball after begin tied up by Foothill forward Braedyn Bernhard, right, in a Crestview League game in Anaheim on Friday, January 14, 2022. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Canyon guard Emerson Marks, left, takes a shot to score over Foothill guard Cruz Billings, right, in a Crestview League game in Anaheim on Friday, January 14, 2022. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Foothill guard Carlo Billings, left, and Canyon guard Connor Leonard, right, scramble for a loose ball in a Crestview League game in Anaheim on Friday, January 14, 2022. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Foothill guard Jay Lagunas, left, and Tyler Ammann, right, celebrate after the Knights defeated Canyon in a Crestview League game in Anaheim on Friday, January 14, 2022. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Foothill forward Braedyn Bernhard, right, takes a shot for a basket over Canyon center Brandon Benjamin, left, in a Crestview League game in Anaheim on Friday, January 14, 2022. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Canyon center Brandon Benjamin is able to power his way to the basket to score against Foothill in a Crestview League game in Anaheim on Friday, January 14, 2022. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Canyon forward Tyler Howard, left, and Foothill guard Jacob Horton, right, run after a loose ball in a Crestview League game in Anaheim on Friday, January 14, 2022. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Canyon fans react to what they see as a bad call by the referee during the game against Foothill in a Crestview League game in Anaheim on Friday, January 14, 2022. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Canyon fans cheer their team during the Crestview League game against Foothill in Anaheim on Friday, January 14, 2022. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Foothill fans cheer as their team takes the lead late in the fourth quarter in a Crestview League game against Canyon in Anaheim on Friday, January 14, 2022. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Foothill (17-1, 2-0) and Canyon (17-4, 0-1) are ranked No. 4 and 5, respectively, in Division 2AA of the CIF Southern Section and ranked No. 9 and 10, respectively, in Orange County.
The point total was by far the lowest of the season for Canyon, which average 69.4 points per game.
The Knights’ point total was also well below their average.
“We defended the entire game,” Etemadi said. “I think both teams locked in on defense.”
Senior center Cruz Billings, the Knights’ leading scorer, scored nine of his team-leading 11 points on 3-pointers.
Jay Horton’s basket in the final minute of the first half gave the Knights their first lead at 21-20.
Foothill held the lead for the entire third quarter and well into the fourth when a 3-pointer from Benjamin, with just under three minutes left in the game, gave the Comanches a 44-43 lead.
However, the lead was short lived as Colin Holt’s basket on the ensuing possession put the Knights back on top to stay.
The Comanches never trailed by more than three points the rest of the way, and had possession with a chance to get to within a point, tie the score or take the lead three times over the final 95 seconds.
Canyon had a chance to tie the score one final time but missed a 3-pointer with a second remaining.
“We were the better team tonight. I’m proud of my guys. They work really hard every day,” Etemadi said. “They are resilient. They are tough and they show up for big games.”
The Knights held Canyon’s standout freshman Brandon Benjamin, who is averaging 18.2 points per game, to 11 points.
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The Comanches’ Jaden Goodall, who averages 12.2 points per game, was held scoreless in the first half and seven points for the game.
Joshua Goodall, who came in scoring nine points per game, was held scoreless.
