http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XCBFUkMji8

With the section scoring record in his sights Friday night, Foothills Christian guard Troy Leaf was more worried about getting a win over No. 7 Eastlake. Leaf fell two points short of the record, but the third-ranked Knights beat the Titans 70-65 in a back and forth game.

“Once the game starts and you’re in between those lines it’s not about scoring. It’s about winning those basketball games and competing at a very high level,” Leaf said. “We came up with a big win in a hostile environment.”

Leaf’s biggest play of the game actually came on defense. With less than a minute left in a one-point game, Leaf missed a runner and Eastlake forward Dillon Doria pulled down the rebound.

Leaf stripped Doria and threw the ball out to Knights guard Kalob Hatcher, who found a wide open J’vonte Brooks for a two-handed dunk. That dunk would be enough for Foothills Christian to hang on for the win.

“I took it more into my hands to dominate this game defensively than offensively, because I saw that I could block some shots and help our team win the game defensively,” Leaf said.

Eastlake (13-4) tied the game early in the fourth and were within a possession of Foothills Christian (16-3) for a majority of the final few minutes. But the Titans could simply not take the lead.

“It was one of those back and forth games where you just got to make baskets and free throws,” said Eastlake coach Alex Estrada. “They did and we missed a couple of them and that was it.”

After a slow start, Eastlake used their depth to get back in the game. Early in the second half, the Titans got Brooks in foul trouble by pounding the ball inside. With Brooks on the bench, Eastlake forward Robert Graves took advantage getting easy baskets inside en route to a team-high 20 points.

“We we’re hoping they would have a little bit of trouble with some of our matchup problems,” Estrada said. “We know they have three strong players, but we know we could go seven or eight deep. We took advantage of it a little bit.”

Leaf scored a game-high 33 points, giving him 2,961 for his career and leaving him two short of the setting the record held by Tyrone Shelley. Leaf will have a chance to break the record when Foothills Christian plays No. 1 Hoover in the Elite Eight Showcase Monday at the University of San Diego.

“If it happens, it happens. I’m happy with our team this year and it’s all about winning games and going far into the state playoffs, farther than we ever have,” Leaf said.

With 11 points apiece, Hatcher and forward Sal Romeri also finished in double figures for Foothills Christian. For Eastlake, Felix Dion (14 points) and Treyvon Ash (12 points) had double-digit efforts in a game that was fast-paced and physical throughout.

“Everyone played so hard and it was a take nothing attitude. We gave it our all when we were on the floor and we were fighting for everything. We didn’t give up an inch,” Leaf said.

Despite losses in two of their last three games, Estrada believes Eastlake is one of the best teams in the section. After Friday night’s close loss, it’s hard to argue that.

“We know where we belong. We feel we’re a top 10 school,” Estrada said. “When you win ball games everything takes care of itself.”

Foothills Christian guard Troy Leaf shoots over Eastlake guard Aaron Baltazar