LATHROP — With a playoff spot on the line, Sierra’s Daniel Wyatt and Lathrop’s Junior Ballard squared off and played remarkable games, with the host Spartans coming out on fire and finishing hot, but not hot enough.

The Timberwolves fought off a spirited Lathrop rally at the end to win the Valley Oak League finale for both teams 74-69.

Ballard finished with 35 points and helped the Spartans out to a 10-0 lead, scoring eight of his team’s first 10 points. Ballard tallied 18 points in the final period which included two 3-pointers and going 10-for-10 from the free-throw line.

Ballard scored 14 points in a 16-6 run to bring Lathrop within 71-69 with 18.8 seconds left, but a free throw by Wyatt and two free throws by Jess Spivey he earned grabbing a rebound secured the win for Sierra.

Wyatt answered Ballard point for point, finishing with 37 points with 14 coming in the fourth period. Wyatt also helped get the Timberwolves (7-7 VOL, 16-10 overall) into the game after a dismal start, scoring three 3-pointers and 11 points in the first period to help turn a 10-0 deficit to a 21-17 lead after eight minutes.

“It felt like we just played good, we played together,” Wyatt said. “Ultimately we had something to play for. My teammates brought it to the table and we played team basketball and were able to get it done.”

And Wyatt took the floor less than 24 hours after his father passed away following a long fight with cancer.  

“It was a fun game if you like lots of scoring and teams nearly coming back from a 12-point deficit at the end,” Sierra coach Scott Thomason said. “I am so proud of our guys to rally around D.J. (Wyatt) and his tough moment. He was very inspiring and courageous today.

“We had spurts of good basketball. Obviously we didn’t get off to a good start and we grinded back into it in the first quarter. In the second half Spivey came alive.”

With 2:31 left in the game Sierra led 65-53.

“When you get up 12 like that you have to put that team away and close that team out,” Thomason said. “We made some silly fouls and it seems like every time Ballard throws the ball up it goes in.

“But it was fun to watch D.J. and Ballard go at it. He (Wyatt) was just sensational and our guys rallied around each other.”

At times both Ballard and Wyatt seemed unstoppable, especially in the fourth quarter. The rally for the Spartans (6-8, 13-14) was valiant, but just a little short.

“It was within reach,” Lathrop coach Nate McGrath said. “You can’t ask for anything more as a coach then to give yourselves a shot at the end of any ball game and when you are playing a team the caliber of Sierra, that is all you can ask. I am proud of my guys and the way they fought hard this season in a tough VOL conference.”

“When you have two kids that were carrying their teams on their backs, it was fun to watch. They shot when they should have shot and they passed when they should have passed. Credit to Daniel (Wyatt) for having an outstanding game under tough circumstances.”

Spivey came on in the second half when he scored 14 of his 16 points to go with eight rebounds.

“We just came out with a different attitude in the second half,” Spivey said. “We started it strong.

“At the end, we needed one stop and we needed to make our free throws. We did both.”

Joining Wyatt in the backcourt was recent call-up Jaime Ochoa from the sophomore team. Although Ochoa only scored three points, he moved the ball like a veteran and finished with four assists and four steals.

Ochoa was with the varsity team earlier in the year until football season ended.

“It feels great to be back with them,” Ochoa said. “It’s good to have the opportunity to play with them and be involved with the team and play good defense.”

Adonis Payton had 12 points, nine rebounds and two steals for Lathrop and Deshawn Kelly added 10 points.

The defending Sac-Joaquin Section Division III champion, Sierra will take to the road to start the playoffs with date and location to be announced Thursday. Although the Timberwolves did not qualify with a top-three finish in the VOL, they are likely in with a top-12 ranking in the division, according to MaxPreps.

“Hopefully we are playing our best basketball right now,” Thomason said. “We don’t care who we play. We know we are going to go on the road and we are going to embrace the opportunity and have fun.”  

Sophomore

Sierra 70, Lathrop 66

The Spartans’ Michael Ballard led all scorers with 25 points.

Jacob Peterson paced the Timberwolves with 22 points. Miguel Segueira added 19 points and Eduardo Jasso 12.

Ronnie Sanorahdanh and Juirus Brito had none points apiece for Lathrop.

Freshman

Lathrop 48, Sierra 47

Isaiah Victor scored 14 points 10 rebounds for the Spartans and Raylon Carter finished with 12 points three assists.

Lathrop finished 9-5, 15-8.