MIGUEL ORTEGA (25) of Garden Grove defends against Segerstrom’s Cristian Galaviz in Golden West League action Tuesday night. Argonauts won 55-54 to improve to 6-0 in league play (Orange County Tribune photos by Jim Tortolano)

By Jim Tortolano/Orange County Tribune

There are no free lunches, it’s said, but in basketball there are free throws. Winners and losers are often defined by who makes them and who doesn’t. And when.

That was part of the story of Garden Grove’s 55-54 boys’ basketball win over Segerstrom in a Golden West League crucial at the Jaguar gym Tuesday night. The victory gives the Argonauts a 6-0 record in league play, 14-7 overall. While the win doesn’t completely lock up a league title, it does put the red-and-white well ahead of Ocean View (3-1) and Segerstrom (3-2).

JALEN CERVANTES (35) of Segerstrom goes up for a shot against Garden Grove’s Landon Mendoza (14) in the Jaguar gymnasium.

Grove built an early lead, but lost it when its free throw shooting went as chilly as a Tastee Freez in Oslo. Overall the Argos hit on only four of 12 from the line. The Jaguars flourished with theirs, connecting on 12 of 18. Until, of course, when they didn’t.

The Argonauts were clinging to a 55-53 lead with 36 seconds to go when two fouls were whistled which gave the home team three free throws. But they hit on only one, and Grove continued unbeaten in the league.

It was yet another white knuckle win for Grove, which won one earlier GWL contest by two points and another in overtime.

“It’s definitely a little luck,” said Argo coach Brian Girard. “We play good defense. We’ve consistently played good defense all year and I think that always gives us a chance to win. Tonight there were a few too many points to my liking, but we were able to play good enough defense in the end to hold on and win.”

The Argos were led in scoring by Miguel Ortega with 18 points, and Landon Mendoza added 14. Segerstrom’s top scorers were Jalen Cervantes with 11 and Chris Negrete with 10.

Next up for Garden Grove is a home game against Godinez Fundamental on Friday, then three games next week against Segerstrom at home on Monday and road games at Westminster and Ocean View next Tuesday and Thursday.

TUESDAY HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL

Boys

Empire League

• Kennedy 58, Pacifica 48

Golden West League

• Garden Grove 55, Segerstrom 54
• Westminster 48, Katella 33
• Ocean View 75, Godinez 43

Orange League

• Western 48, Anaheim 43
  Wave League
• Fountain Valley at Marina

Non-league

• Magnolia 30, Samueli Academy 21

Girls

Empire League

• Kennedy 57, Pacifica 22

Golden West League

• Segerstrom 67, Garden Grove 63
• Westminster 46, Katella 17
• Godinez 34, Ocean View 22

San Joaquin League

• Orangewood Academy 57, Fairmont Prep 32
  Non-league
• Los Alamitos 56 Marina 18
• Huntington Beach at Edison

 MONDAY HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL

Boys

Garden Grove Leagoe

• Santiago 62, Rancho Alamitos 36
• Bolsa Grande 62, Los Amigos 36

Golden West League

• Garden Grove 72, Katella 50

Orange Coast League

• Santa Ana 55, Orange 47

Non-league

• Acaciawood 58, Padre Pio 51

Girls

Garden Grove League

• Los Amigos 50, Bolsa Grande 23
• Santiago 68, Rancho Alamitos 16

Golden West League

• Garden Grove 49, Katella 18