Top I.E. teams run into more roadblocks
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It’s tough to drive the freeways on a Friday evening in the Inland Empire, but I expected the Redlands and Vista Murrieta boys’ basketball teams to speed past the Freeway League the other night.
Both teams saw their seasons end sooner than expected in the first round of the Southern Section Division II-AA playoffs.
The collapse of the season belongs to Redlands, which won its first 24 games, but likely will be remembered for losing its last three, costing it a Citrus Belt League title and a chance at a top four seeding.
On Friday night, the fifth-seeded Terriers hosted Fullerton, the third-place team from the Freeway League, and lost, 51-43. Ouch.
Down south, Sonora was edging ninth-seeded Vista Murrieta, 71-70. The Broncos were co-champions in the Southwestern League, but couldn’t hang with the Raiders (unlike the NFL rivalry), a runner-up in the Freeway League.
Unfortunately, the Citrus Belt and Southwestern leagues are getting a reputation for their lack of playoff savvy.
The Redlands East Valley football team, champions of the CBL last fall, was upset in the playoffs, as was Vista Murrieta, the SWL champion. Both lost to Corona Santiago, the third-place team from the Mountain View League.
--Dan Arritt