Andaya freebies lift College Park past Bryan

THE WOODLANDS, Texas – They still had a little left in the tank.

Keanu Andaya hit six free throws in just over six seconds and the College Park High School boys’ basketball team outlasted the Bryan Vikings 58-54 at home Friday to complete and unbeaten first round of District 14-5A play.

Andaya hit four free throws with :49.09 seconds remaining to break a 51-51 tie, then added two more with :42.5 ticks left to give College Park a 57-51 lead.

“The biggest fear I had coming into this game was that after you have such a big emotional win like we had (over The Woodlands) the other night, it’s tough to get yourself back up emotionally to play,” Cavaliers head boys’ basketball coach Clifton McNeely said. “It’s not like football where you’ve got that week and you’ve got that opportunity to rebuild again.

“It’s a quick turnaround and they were both emotionally and physically drained tonight. They did what they had to down the stretch.”

Andaya drove the lane in the final minute of play, drew the foul, and after sinking two free-throw attempts remained at the line to add on two technical foul shots. And following a Bryan miss, Andaya found himself back at the line for two more.

“Keanu Andaya made free throws and made plays down the stretch and I’m just proud of (the team) finishing the game,” McNeely said.

Andaya led the Cavaliers with 21 points and Brett Reed added 16 more. Tristan Newman contributed with eight points.

Bryan had a bye on Tuesday while College Park was playing an emotional game with its neighboring rivals.

“They had all week to get ready for us and all week to get their legs under them,” McNeely said. “People don’t understand that’s a big advantage.”

The Cavaliers (24-5, 6-0) draw a bye to open the second round of district play and will host Oak Ridge at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24.