Saddleback Sputters but Comes Back to Win : Bryant Walton Scores 11 in Third Quarter to Lead Roadrunners Past Costa Mesa, 54-53

The burden of a great reputation seemed to weigh heavily on the members of Saddleback High School’s basketball team Friday night in the Sea View League opener at Costa Mesa.

The Roadrunners (8-4), a tall group of fine shooters, found themselves in an unlikely position, eating Costa Mesa’s dust through most of the game.

But an 11-point spurt by junior guard Bryant Walton in the third quarter propelled the Roadrunners into the game, and they finally managed to slip away with a 54-53 victory.

Otherwise, the Roadrunners suffered through one of their least effective shooting performances, which Coach Pat Quinn attributed to psychological “tightness.” Saddleback made fewer than 30% of its foul shots.

“Everyone’s been telling us how good we should be, and I think we’re having trouble with that,” Quinn said. “Everyone’s expecting so much of us, and we haven’t gotten over that.

“We’re actually good free-throw shooters, but you wouldn’t have known it tonight. We have to play a lot better than this to be able to compete in this league.”

The Mustangs’ biggest lead came with 2:40 left in the second quarter when Mitch Pelichowski scored for a 25-17 advantage. Costa Mesa led 25-21 at halftime.

“We suffered a little on the inside, because we didn’t get much help,” Quinn said. “Costa Mesa is very physical and we always have problems playing here. We didn’t pressure them enough early, but when we really needed it, we went after them.”

Quinn commended Bryant Walton and guard Earl Jones for their second-half defense. Bryant Walton, who scored 21 points, also kept Saddleback in range of the Mustangs with a follow shot and a corner jumper in the fourth quarter.

The timing of the Roadrunners’ surge may have reflected a bit of caution on the part of aggressive Costa Mesa (5-6). The Mustangs’ two dominating players, Matt Judd and Karl Kimme, carried four fouls each in the last quarter.

With 2:27 remaining, a free throw by Roadrunner center Chance Peterson tied the game at 52-52, and Jones, who hadn’t made a shot all night, stole the ball and scored on a fast break.

Saddleback stalled the last two minutes, although the Mustangs edged to within a point on Pelichowski’s free throw. But his second shot missed, and Bryant Walton’s steal with three seconds deprived the Mustangs of any hope.

In other Sea View League action:

Estancia 57, University 41--Scott Clements had 23 points, 15 in the first half, as the Eagles opened league play with a win that improves their overall record to 13-1. Todd Mooney had 13 points and 7 rebounds for Estancia and Adam Lockwood contributed 10 points. Brad Arnold led University with 18 points.

Woodbridge at Laguna Beach--The game was rescheduled for Monday night so that Laguna Beach could participate in the consolation semifinals of the Santiago Tournament Friday.