What appeared to be a promising start for Chatsworth High in the West Valley League basketball opener Wednesday turned into a nightmare.

The visiting Chancellors blew a 14-point lead in what turned out to be a big uspet, as El Camino Real sophomore Cris Francis hit a jump shot with one second left to lift the host Conquistadores to a shocking 57-56 victory.

"We just didn't play well," said Chatsworth guard Jason Monje, who scored a 20 points. "ECR played harder in the fourth quarter, and that's why they won."

Francis provided the nail in the coffin, driving along the right baseline and hitting nothing but net on a short jumper.

"(El Camino Real) deserved it," Chatsworth coach Scott Switalla said. "They outplayed us in that fourth quarter, and we just didn't play smart and keep our composure. We missed open layups and they were getting open layups and looks inside the paint."

Perhaps most displeasing for Switalla was the fact that El Camino (10-6, 1-0) got the job done with youth against his team's experience. Freshman Maleke Haynes was among several younger players that sparked the Conquistadors, scoring eight of his 15 points in the fourth quarter. Junior guard Anthony Jones scored a team-high 18 points, including 10 in the final quarter. Freshman Julian Richardson also added nine points.

"Their younger guys beat our older guys," Switalla said.

Terrell Funches scored 16 points for the Chancellors, who outscored the Conquistadors 32-20 over the second and third quarters.

Monje did his best to keep the Chancellors in line for a victory, scoring seven of Chatsworth's 13 points in the final quarter. His jumper gave the Chancellors a 56-53 lead with just over a minute left.

El Camino Real wouldn't go away. Haynes cut the deficit to 56-55, and the Conquistadores got the ball right back on a backcourt violation with 28 seconds left.

Derrick Hector stole the ball on the ensuing possession and was fouled, giving the Chancellors a shot to go ahead by two or three points. But Hector missed the front end of a one-and-one, setting the stage for Francis.

"We just got him back almost two weeks ago from ineligibility," El Camino coach Dave Rebibo. "He hit a huge shot. I'm just glad we have him back."

The Chancellors had one last chance, but an inbounds pass hit a barrier above the floor to end the game.

"Chatsworth is a great team and I tip my hat to them," said Rebibo, whose team was able to overcome an 8-for-18 performance from the line. "We just wanted to step up to their level. I have a young team, and I think today we really took a step forward."

There will no rest for the Chancellors as they host defending league champion Taft at 7 tonight.

"We’ve got to get over it," Switalla said.

EL CAMINO REAL (57)

Anthony Jones 18, Maleke Hayes 15, Julian Richardson 9, Cris Francis 6, Temjae Singleton 5, J.T. Nemit 4.

CHATSWORTH (56)

Jason Monje 20, Terrell Funches 16, Jordan Rosales 7, Derrick Hector 7, Frankie Flores 4, Bryan Figueroa 2.

Halftime: CW 26-22. 3-pointers: ECR - Jones 2, Nemit 1, Richardson 1; CW - Monje 2, Hector 1. Rosales 1. Fouled out: None. Technicals: Rosales (CW).