FANTASTIC FINISH QUARTZ HILL ELIMINATES HART WITH A WILD FOURTH QUARTER QUARTZ HILL 54, HART 53.

Byline: Scott Magoloff Staff Writer

QUARTZ HILL - NCAA basketball has ``March Madness.'' In instances such as Wednesday's Southern Section Division I-A playoff game between host Quartz Hill and Hart of Newhall, prep basketball should feel free to use ``February Madness.''

With 13 seconds left and Quartz Hill trailing by one, Tony Johnson drove the lane and found teammate Kevin Johnson underneath the basket. Open for a split second, Tony Johnson seemingly guided the ball through traffic.

Kevin Johnson, who at 5-foot-8 was the smallest player on the court, hit the game-winning layup, lifting Quartz Hill to a 54-53 victory to advance to the second round of the playoffs.

Hart's Tamir Barkan missed a tough 10-foot jumper from the baseline with three seconds left, setting off Quartz Hill's celebration of coach Bernard Nichter's first playoff win with the program.

``It was crucial; my heart is still throbbing,'' Tony Johnson said of the game's final three minutes, which featured three lead changes and numerous scrambles. ``In situations like that, it's the team who wanted it most, and we had to fight.''

On the game-winning play, Tony Johnson came up with one of many loose balls down the stretch. A nice ball fake opened the lane, setting up the pass to Kevin Johnson, who was 10 points below his average with only four in the game. Tony Johnson had a game-high 27 - exactly half of the Rebels' 54 - with 19 coming in a first half which was dominated by Quartz Hill (19-7).

Hart (11-16) committed 10 turnovers in the first half and trailed 30-19 at halftime. A quick 15-5 run to open the third quarter - including six consecutive points by Liam Waters (18 points) - pulled the Indians to within 35-34. From that point on, the lead never increased beyond five points.

Hart battled all the way back and even led 46-41 with just under five minutes left. But an 0 for 5 performance at the free-throw line in the fourth quarter gave Quartz Hill just enough opportunities to regain control.

``I love my teammates,'' said Barkan (13 points), who went the length of the court and hit a wild layup from underneath the backboard to push Hart ahead 53-52 with 23 seconds left. He was fouled on the play. ``It was a great year, much better than last year. No one can say we didn't try.''

All Hart coach David Montgomery could think about after the game was the 0 for 5 foul shooting in the fourth quarter, considering they were missed by senior captains Barkan, Liam Waters and Casey Johnson.

``I'm not mad at them; they're hurting as much as I am,'' Montgomery said. ``Our hearts are out there. It just happened to be their last game in high school.''