Rocklin edges Del Oro in overtime thriller

It was an instant classic at Rocklin High School on Friday night, as the undefeated Thunder hosted rival Del Oro to open Sierra Foothill League play in boys basketball. There were 17 lead changes or ties in the fourth quarter and overtime before Rocklin prevailed 93-91. Rocklin sophomore Reeve Slone scored all eight of his points at the most important time. Slone hit a 3-pointer in the final seconds of regulation to keep Rocklin's unbeaten season alive and send the game to overtime tied at 86. Trailing by one in overtime, Slone's heroics again elevated the Thunder as he sank a 3-pointer in the corner with 4.9 seconds remaining to give Rocklin a two-point advantage. Josiah Andrews led the Thunder with 21 points, while Mark Lavrenov had 20. Kainoa Marasco and Kanyon Rice scored 18 and 13 points for Rocklin. Del Oro's do-it-all point guard Caden Pinnick scored a game-high 32 points. He was close to notching a triple-double with nine rebounds and nine assists. Junior sharpshooter Reid Brear scored 23 points, including a go-ahead shot for the Golden Eagles with under 30 seconds remaining. Del Oro (14-4 overall, 0-1 SFL) shifts its focus to Folsom (11-6, 1-0) for its league home opener Jan. 10. The Golden Eagles then visit Whitney (13-6, 1-0) on Friday. Rocklin (19-0, 1-0SFL) will host Oak Ridge (12-6, 0-1 SFL) on Wednesday night. Rocklin's win was just its second by single digits this season. The Thunder plays at Folsom on Friday. The Golden Eagles are slated to host the Thunder in Loomis on Jan. 26.