Boys Preview : Fullerton and Buena Park Battle for Freeway Lead

With the rest of the Freeway League teams having at least three losses, Fullerton (4-1, 13-6) and Buena Park (4-1, 10-7) begin the second half of their league schedules dueling for first place at 7:30 tonight in the Coyotes’ gym.

“The winner will be in a good position, but they won’t clinch the title,” Indian Coach Randy Forgette said. “But the team that loses this one will have to rely on someone else (to win the league).”

Fullerton defeated Buena Park, 67-63, in the league opener. It was an intense, see-saw battle that wasn’t decided until the last five seconds, with the Indians’ foul shooting determining the outcome.

In that game, Fullerton played without R.J. Hamblin, who is averaging eight points and six rebounds per game. The 6-foot 6-inch forward, who ranks seventh in the county in field goal percentage (53 of 90 for .589), missed the game because of an injury.

“He’s probably our best defensive player,” Forgette said.

Buena Park has won four straight games since the loss to the Fullerton. The Indians have won three in a row.

Guards Reggie Brown and Aurelio Solis combined to score 31 points in the Coyotes’ 63-61 win over La Habra on Wednesday night. Brown is 12th in Orange County in assists, averaging 5.5 per game.

Guard Ralph Tallant leads the Indians in scoring with an average of 13 points per game. Richard Carnesi, Tallant’s backcourt mate, is 19th in the county in assists (5.1).

Also: Sunny Hills (2-3, 8-11) at La Habra (1-4, 5-12) and Sonora (2-3, 5-11) at Troy (2-3, 6-11).

ANGELUS LEAGUE

St. Paul (2-3, 6-10) vs. Mater Dei (5-0, 20-0) at Chapman College--The top-ranked Monarchs will be seeking their 28th straight league win. Tom Lewis, who leads Orange County in scoring with an average of 30.9 points per game, played only 17 minutes against Bishop Montgomery on Wednesday night but still had 19 points. The Swordsmen are coming off a loss to Pius X. Also: Pius X (4-1, 13-8) at Servite (3-2, 7-10).

CENTURY LEAGUE

Orange (7-1, 13-6) at Foothill (6-2, 15-5)--The sixth-ranked Knights were knocked out of a share of the league lead after Wednesday night’s loss to Santa Ana. Foothill’s full-court press wasn’t effective against the Saints. David Roth leads the Panthers in scoring with an average of 17.9 points per game. Also: Santa Ana (6-2, 11-7) at Canyon (3-5, 8-10), El Modena (5-3, 11-6) at Villa Park (0-8, 4-13) and Santa Ana Valley (4-4, 5-10) at Tustin (1-7, 6-13).

EMPIRE LEAGUE

Kennedy (8-1, 15-4) at Loara (3-6, 7-10)--The Fighting Irish had to hold off Cypress in the fourth quarter Wednesday to stay in first place. Forward Jeff Green scored 29 points against the Centurions. Also: Cypress (2-7, 4-12) at El Dorado (7-2, 16-3), Katella (6-3, 14-4) at Esperanza (3-6, 7-10) and Pacifica (1-8, 3-14) at Los Alamitos (6-3, 9-9).

GARDEN GROVE LEAGUE

Garden Grove (4-1, 11-7) at Bolsa Grande (2-3, 9-9)--Coming into this week, the Matadors had a chance to make their move in the standings. Before Wednesday’s loss to Rancho Alamitos, Bolsa Grande trailed the league-leading Vaqueros and Argonauts by a game. But heading into tonight’s contest against Garden Grove, the Matadors must win to keep their title chances alive. The Argonauts had an easy time with Los Amigos on Wednesday. Also: Santiago (2-3, 9-8) at Rancho Alamitos (4-1, 9-9) and Los Amigos (0-5, 2-14) at La Quinta (3-2, 7-9).

ORANGE LEAGUE

Western (2-3, 7-12) at Brea-Olinda (5-0, 17-4)--The Wildcats’ Thin Towers, 6-9 Kevin Walker and 6-5 David Fox, have been getting all the attention, but it’s the Brea defense that is winning games. The Wildcats have allowed no more than 48 points in 16 of their victories. Pioneer Coach Greg Hoffman drew three technical fouls and was ejected in the second quarter of Western’s 60-57 loss to Savanna. Also: Anaheim (1-4, 3-13) at Valencia (3-2, 11-7) and Magnolia (0-5, 0-15) at Savanna (4-1, 15-6).

SEA VIEW LEAGUE

Corona del Mar (6-2, 13-5) at Estancia (7-1, 19-2)--The Sea Kings were able to control the tempo in their upset of second-ranked Newport Harbor on Wednesday night and will have to do the same against the No. 4 Eagles. Estancia prefers a faster pace and relies on its full-court press to speed things up. Both teams play excellent defense. Also: Newport Harbor (7-1, 16-3) at University (0-8, 3-14), Costa Mesa (2-6, 7-11) at Laguna Beach (3-5, 6-11) and Saddleback (5-3, 12-7) at Woodbridge (2-6, 4-10).

SOUTH COAST LEAGUE

Dana Hills (5-3, 13-5) at El Toro (5-3, 10-10)--The Dolphins and Chargers are tied with Capistrano Valley for second place and trail Mission Viejo by 1 1/2 games. Dana Hills is coming off an upset over the Cougars while El Toro was beaten by Laguna Hills. The Dolphins’ Bryan McSweeney scored 32 points Wednesday. Also: Capistrano Valley (5-3, 16-5) at Irvine (0-8, 6-14) and Laguna Hills (3-4, 11-9) at Mission Viejo (6-1, 17-4).

SUNSET LEAGUE

Ocean View (5-0, 16-3) at Fountain Valley (3-2, 11-7)--The third-ranked Seahawks can virtually eliminate the Barons from title contention with a win tonight. Brent Martin leads Fountain Valley in scoring with a 19.1 average. Also: Westminster (0-5, 3-13) at Edison (4-1, 12-6) and Marina (1-4, 9-11) at Huntington Beach (2-3, 7-9).