BOYS’ BASKETBALL ROUNDUP : Roditis Leads Katella Comeback That Gives Danley His 500th Victory

With Downey Warren ready to put Katella Coach Tom Danley’s 500th victory celebration on hold, Nick Roditis and the rest of the Knights came to the rescue.

Roditis, who scored a game-high 24 points, made a three-pointer with 45 seconds remaining to erase a two-point deficit, and Robert Guzman and LaByron Clayton made three of four free throws in the final 18 seconds to seal a 65-64 victory for Katella (2-0) in a Sunbird Tournament quarterfinal game Thursday at Western High.

The victory was the 500th for Danley, who has coached Katella since the school opened in 1966. He received a plaque commemorating the feat.

“I’m just tickled to death for the kids to win a close one against a good, disciplined team,” Danley said. “The fact that it’s my 500th makes it that much sweeter.

“Right now, I still feel like I’m 35, so who knows how much longer I’ll stick around?” Danley said. “I feel good . . . it’ll be awhile.”

Danley wasn’t as chipper in the fourth quarter. He watched the Bears (1-1), who trailed by as many as 13 in the first half, tie the score, 55-55, on a three-point play by Bernie Ibarra with six minutes remaining. Ibarra finished with 22 points.

One minute later, Joey Hartman made a three-pointer to give Warren a 58-55 lead.

But Katella center Mike Pahl, who had 15 points and eight rebounds, made four free throws to draw the Knights within two, 61-59, with 2:24 remaining, setting up Roditis’ heroics.

Katella will play Servite in one semifinal at 8 tonight at Western.