In chaotic finish, Cajon beats Saugus 63-58 in Division 2AA Southern Section boys basketball playoffs

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. -- Shyheim Parm plans to buy Maika Esau lunch tomorrow.

"Whatever he wants man," Parm said after Cajon survived to beat Saugus 63-58 and advance to the Division 2AA Southern Section quarterfinals.

With 15 seconds left and Cajon leading 61-58, Saugus fouled Cowboys guard Riley Robinson to put the senior at the line for a 1-and-1. He missed the front end, but Esau rose above Davis White who was boxing him out to snag an offensive rebound and kill some more clock.

With 12 seconds to play, Saugus fouled Esau and he also missed the front end of a 1-and-1, but on the next Saugus possession, senior Christian Manzano threw the ball away and Esau grabbed it with just two seconds left on the clock. He was fouled again and this time clinched the Cajon win with two makes.

"It wasn't very pretty at the end," Cajon head coach Randy Murray said postgame. "...But we made enough plays to get it done."

Tuesday's game was tight for four quarters. Cajon and Saugus went into halftime tied 35-35 and after three quarters the score was knotted at 51-51.

With 33 seconds to play, Parm showed off his speed grabbing a steal that he finished with a layup on the other end to put Cajon ahead 61-56. From there, the Cowboys hung on.

"Shyheim is always so important for us," Murray said. "He's just very calm, under control, and very steady...He handles the pressure and makes good decisions."

Parm finished with 15 points for Cajon and Esau scored 16. Manzano put in 16 points for Saugus.

Cajon will take on Foothill at home in the quarterfinals on Friday. After playing in their first ever road playoff game, the Cajon seniors will return to San Bernardino with a semifinals appearance on the line.

When asked what it will take to win a few more playoff games and advance to a title game, Parm responded: "Our whole scheme is about playing defense, getting steals, fast breaks and easy buckets. That's really it."

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