Boys Roundup : Fullerton’s Height Advantage Too Much for Savanna

Fullerton High School’s height advantage was too much for Savanna to overcome as the Indians overpowered the Rebels for a 66-51 nonleague victory Friday night in the Fullerton gym.

Fullerton (9-5) dominated the boards and worked for the high percentage shot, which paid off with a field goal percentage of 55.5%. The Indians’ zone forced the Rebels (11-5) to shoot from the perimeter, resulting in 34.5% marksmanship.

“The big thing was our intensity,” Fullerton Coach Randy Forgette said. “We were into the flow of the game. Our kids were ready. This was really encouraging.”

Forgette was especially pleased with his team’s showing in its final nonleague game after Wednesday’s, 62-32, loss to Valencia.

Fullerton’s zone made it rough for Tim Pittman, who missed eight of his first nine shots, while the Indians jumped to a 36-15 lead with 2:01 left in the second quarter. The Indians shot 60.8% in the first half, while the Rebels shot 25.9% from the floor in the first half.

The closest Savanna came in the second half was a 45-34 deficit on Brad Veale’s follow shot with 26 seconds left in the third quarter. But Fullerton gradually built the lead back to 21 points on guard Richard Carnesi’s two free throws for a 57-36 lead with 4:45 left in the game. Carnesi and R.J. Hamblin led the balanced Indian scoring with 14 each, and Geoff Boone and Ralph Tallent added 10 apiece.

Hamblin also collected nine rebounds and Boone and Tallent contributed seven each.

Pittman was the only Rebel in double figures with 21 points in spite of 7 for 21 shooting from the field.

Sunny Hills 79, Artesia 59--The Lancers opened a 21-13 first-quarter lead and were never challenged, as they easily defeated Artesia at Sunny Hills. Senior forward Dexter Jenkins scored 17 points to lead the Lancers.

Senior guard Craig Glatzofer added 16 points for Sunny Hills (6-8).

Bolsa Grande 68, LB Wilson 61--Guard Nam Cao made a 60-foot shot at the buzzer ending the third quarter that gave the Matadors a one-point lead and they went on to gain their seventh win in 13 games. Cao, 5-5, 110 pounds, scored 13 of his 15 points in the second half. Teammate Kelly Graves added 18 points and 12 rebounds.

Brea 31, Sonora 27 (OT)--Kevin Walker scored on a 10-foot baseline jumper with a minute left and Tony Barcelo hit two free throws with 10 seconds left to seal the win for Brea at Sonora. Walker had 16 points in the game.