Arcadia basketball comes up short against Orange Lutheran in Division 1 playoffs

ARCADIA — When Arcadia boys basketball coach Nick Wallace took over the program eight years ago, this is what he envisioned.

The Apaches won the Pacific League title for the first time since 1970 and their 23 victories set a school record.

Still, it didn’t feel good enough after visiting Orange Lutheran took over in the final minute to knock off Arcadia, 79-74, in the first round of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 playoffs on Wednesday night.

It was a game that went back and forth down the stretch.

Orange Lutheran’s Josh King, who finished with a game-high 22 points, nailed a 3-pointer while falling out of bounds for a 68-63 lead with with 3:35 left.

But Arcadia sophomore Nick Wallace Jr., the son of coach Nick Wallace, answered with back-to-back 3-pointers to give the Apaches a 69-68 lead with 1:52 to go.

Wallace Jr., finished with a team-high 21 points.

In the final minute, however, King broke a 71-71 tie with a driving lay-up, and the Lancers would never trail again.

The Lancers held on by making six straight free throws while the Apaches missed two of three free throws, and turned the ball over when they were down three points with 18 seconds left.

Orange Lutheran’s Josh King had a game high 22 points and scored the go ahead basket in the first al minute that led their 79-74 victory over Arcadia in the first round of the D1 playoffs. He talked about it pic.twitter.com/bGyL9c4ea7

— Fred J. Robledo (@SGVNSports) February 12, 2026

That was the difference as Orange Lutheran (19-9) advances to Friday’s second round, where it will be home against Rolling Hills Prep. Arcadia finishes it season, 24-5.

“We weren’t able to execute when we had to,” Apaches coach Nick Wallace said. “In games like this everyone is good. They (Orange Lutheran) were poised, they’re an experienced Trinity League team and have played good competition just like we have. We knew it would come down to free throws and turnovers, and they won that battle. We just came up short, it’s the tale of our season.”

Orange Lutheran’s Noah Zeola added 19 points, but it was King’s big shots that made the difference.

“It felt good to get the bucket that we ultimately needed to put the game away,” King said of his go-ahead basket with 58 seconds left that gave them a two-point lead. “It felt really good to help my teammates, and it just feels good to win.

“It was back and forth the whole game. It felt like a two-point game the whole way and we just persevered through, kept pushing, and ultimately came out with a win to get to the next round.”

Owen Eteuati Edwards added 14 points and Tyrese Butler added 13 for the Apaches, who trailed 23-19 after the first quarter and by as much as eight points in the second quarter. However, an 11-0 run helped the Apaches take a 40-39 halftime lead.

The Apaches took a six-point lead in the third quarter, but the Lancers came back, and it was a 57-57 tie heading to the final quarter.

Even though this was the Apaches’ first trip to the Division 1 playoffs, it’s going to be a long offseason thinking about what could have been.

“It’s simple for me,” Wallace said. “Some people will be happy enough making the playoffs, and winning 23 games and the league title is great, but we felt we should have won this game. We want to go on deep playoff runs and win championships, that’s what we were prepared to do.

“We had the size, versatility and skill to do it, we just underachieved. That’s nothing against Orange Lutheran, they’re a great team. But we feel like we should have won and to not get it done in the big moments is disappointing. It’s just not good enough.”