Brown helps Hawks hold off Rams

Updated: March 23, 2011 9:48AM

Reavis coach Jeff Smith wished his team had an additional minute to potentially cap an improbable comeback Friday night against defending Class 3A state champion Hillcrest.

Hawks coach Don Houston was just happy to leave Burbank with a win.

Julius Brown made victory possible for the Hawks. The four-year varsity starter registered 12 of his game-high 25 points in the fourth quarter to allow No. 9 Hillcrest to hang on for a 51-45 win against Reavis in South Suburban play.

"You're going to have games like these," said Houston, whose Hawks improved to 13-4, 7-0. "You're not going to go through conference and not be tested. But the kids found a way to pull it out."

More appropriate, Brown found a way to pull it out.

Hillcrest led 39-30 with just under six minutes to play. That's when Eddie Lopez found his shooting touch and the Rams (12-4, 4-3) made their move. Lopez drilled four three-pointers over the final six minutes, thrilling an upset-minded Rams crowd. His second trey of the period brought the Rams to within 42-41 with 3:33 remaining.

"Lopez has been doing that all year," Smith said. "He got some good looks."

The Rams would never get closer, however, mainly because of Brown, who nailed a trey and long jumper to build a 47-42 lead.

When Lopez drilled his fourth three-pointer with 1:13 to go, the Rams pulled to within 47-45, Brown would answer, though, converting four straight free throws.

"I was more focused in the fourth quarter," Brown said of his scoring outburst. "We need to have our intensity at a high level right from the start of the game."

Mike Jerkovich was a force inside for Reavis (15-of-28 from field), finishing with 21 points. All 15 of Lopez's points came off of 3-pointers.

"We dug ourselves a little hole in the first half," said Smith, whose team trailed 25-15 at intermission. "We executed everything we needed to in the first half. I just wish we had one more minute to play."

Kadeem Thornton finished with seven points for Hillcrest (19-of-37 from field), which had only nine players suited up for the game.

"We had some issues and as a coaching staff we dealt with those issues," Houston said. "We'll be at full strength next week."

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