La Salle senior Martin Cuesta’s only view of the final play was from floor level.

Lying face down on the sideline with intense back spasms just minutes after he delivered the eventual game-winning points, the pain Cuesta was feeling couldn’t suppress the joy he felt when the final buzzer sounded.

Cuesta raised a thumb in the air as his La Salle teammates celebrated a 49-46 overtime victory against Doral Academy that clinched the District 15-4A boys’ basketball championship Saturday night in front of an estimated crowd of 900 at Ransom Everglades.

Cuesta broke a 46-46 tie with 25 seconds left when he scored on a putback after a missed shot. Seconds later, Cuesta was helped off the court after injuring his back on the play.

La Salle’s defense denied Doral on the ensuing possession, and guard Mateo Borja made one of two free throws after being fouled. A desperation shot by the Firebirds missed with two seconds left, and neither team collected the rebound before time expired.

Cuesta, who was being attended to by trainers next to the team bench while the final play was unfolding, slid his body forward to get a better look. Cuesta was helped up by the trainers while fans celebrated with teammates on the court. Cuesta finished with seven points, eight rebounds and four assists.

“That kid [Cuesta] is a true warrior,” La Salle coach Tony Regueira said. “He had to deal with a broken finger earlier this year and now this. He’s been tough just like most of our kids this season.”

The Royal Lions (13-15), who have recovered from a poor start to the season plagued with numerous injuries, won their first district title since 2009. Among the players who have returned strong is forward Kevin Portillo, a first team All-Dade player last year, who missed the first half of the season with a torn MCL.

La Salle will play host to the loser of the District 16-4A final between St. Brendan and Key West (played late Saturday) on Thursday in a Region 4-4A quarterfinal. Doral Academy will play at the winner.

Junior guard Nicholas Santana finished with a game-high 18 points and saved La Salle from defeat in regulation. With two defenders guarding him tightly, Santana leaned forward and shot a three-pointer that found nothing but net with four seconds left to send the game to overtime tied at 44.

Andre C. Fernandez

DOR: Ruiz 2, Garcia 10, M. Martin 8, F. Martin 12, Mendia 11, Rodriguez 3. LAS (13-15): Borja 10, Lopez 1, Santana 18, Cuesta 7, Portillo 9, Diaz 4. Half: LAS 19-18. Three-pointers: Garcia 2, Santana 2, Mendia 2, Portillo. Fouled out: Mendia. Rebounds: Cuesta 8. Assists: Borja, Cuesta 4. Steals: Lopez 4.

PRESEASON BASEBALL

A little over three weeks before they will square off in the regular season to open the new Marlins Ballpark, longtime rivals Belen and Columbus met for an exhibition game Saturday night at Columbus. Belen got the best of Columbus in this round with a 2-0 win. Joey Rodriguez hit a two-run homer for the Wolverines.

FOOTBALL

Coral Park kicker Eddie Hernandez signed with Benedict College in South Carolina.

WRESTLING

Monsignor Pace finished runner-up at the Region 4-1A wrestling championships. The Spartans edged Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy by one point to finish second to defending Class 1A state champion Cardinal Gibbons, which won the meet by a 63-point margin.