Freeway League : Fullerton Gets a Confidence-Building Victory Over Buena Park, 69-65

Fullerton High School equalled its entire win production in the Freeway League last season and established itself as the early favorite in the six-team league with a 69-65 win over Buena Park Wednesday night in the Indians’ gym.

The game was the opener for the only teams with winning preseason records and served as a confidence builder for a Fullerton program that is trying to establish itself under rookie Coach Randy Forgette. Fullerton struggled to a 6-16 mark last year.

The Indians displayed the makings of a champion by hitting free throws in the clutch, withstanding a full-court press and doing the little things necessary to win. Fullerton also enjoyed a 30-23 rebounding advantage and shot 20 more free throws than the Coyotes.

Brett Harrell and Richard Carnesi both made free throws in the final 15 seconds of play that proved to be the difference in a very entertaining game that featured two of the north county’s best guards.

Carnesi and Buena Park point guard Reggie Brown put on quite a show. Carnesi scored 16 of his 21 points in the first half as the Indians opened a 37-34 lead. He was particularly impressive in the first quarter when he made five of six shots, most of them from long range.

Brown came on strong in the second half, scoring 12 of his 20 points and nearly pulling out the win in the process. Brown made four straight jump shots in the last quarter, the fourth pulling the Coyotes to within one point, 66-65, with 1:48 remaining.

The Coyotes had a chance to gain the lead after calling a timeout with 1:05 left to play, but reserve Peter Ybarra threw up a wild, one-handed shot with 40 seconds left for the Coyotes’ last hurrah.

“My players have nothing to be ashamed of,” Buena Park Coach Ken Bell said. “This game doesn’t mean we can’t beat them, and I certainly couldn’t ask more out of my kids. We proved we’re a good team.”

The victory has to be especially gratifying to Harrell, a 6-3 swingman who is considered Fullerton’s most talented player. Harrell was making his first start after recovering from a broken foot, and although he was short of wind at times, he finished with six points.

“Brett hasn’t been in a situation where he’s at the free throw line with the game on the line in a long, long time, and I’m really happy for him,” Forgette said. “I expect close games like this against every team in the league. There won’t be too many games decided by more than 10 points.

“Carnesi played a super ballgame. He was the difference in the game. We really missed R.J. Hamblin (out with the flu), who has been our stabilizing force all year.”

Fullerton’s backcourt tandem--Carnesi and Ralph Tallent--combined to score 45 of the Indians’ 69 points. Joel Masinsin had 15 points for the Coyotes.

BUENA PARK (65)--Masinsin 15, Solis 13, Toscano 7, Brown 20, Rodriguez 4, Ybarra 4, Kotzin 2.

FULLERTON (69)--Boone 6, Harrell 6, Zerga 12, Tallent 24, Carnesi 21.

In other Freeway League action:

Sunny Hills 53, La Habra 51--Don Hamano missed the first shot of a two-shot free throw opportunity with two seconds remaining and then intentionally missed the second, but the Highlanders couldn’t score the tying field goal. The Lancers (7-8) held an eight-point lead, but Highlander Eric Zaluske led the rally, finishing with 16 points. Dexter Jenkins paced Sunny Hills with 16 points and 12 rebounds.

LA HABRA (51)--Esparza 6, Stevens 11, Zaluske 16, Hamano 4, Martinez 14.

SUNNY HILLS (53)--Henderson 4, Gratzhofer 4, Lutz 13, Jenkins 16, Walson 10, Fox 6.

Sonora 49, Troy 43--The Raiders made 8 of 9 free throw attempts in the fourth quarter to pull away for the win at Sonora. Mike Samuelson and David Devereux had 13 points each for Sonora (1-0, 4-8). Greg Nelson scored 13 to lead Troy (0-1, 4-9).

TROY (43)--Edwards 7, Lee 9, Nelson 13, Nix 9, Welch 5.

SONORA (49)--Samuelson 13, Carbajal 6, Devereux 13, Euins 8, Naber 9.