CERRITOS — Spacing and physicality were issues Thursday for the Gahr boys basketball team, and a pair of second-half lulls offensively contributed to a season-ending loss for the Gladiators. Gahr was within striking distance entering the final quarter, but a 5 1/2-minute scoring drought to open the fourth was too much to overcome, as Gahr lost 50-37 to Shalhevet in the second round of the CIF State Division III playoffs. The top-seeded Gladiators (22-11), who trailed 26-25 at halftime, were also hurt by the Firehawks’ 10-0 run to start the third quarter. Gahr coach Marcus Girley was proud of his young team, which was expected to have “a down year” but topped the 20-win mark. “It was a great...
