PREP BASKETBALL : Empire League : Katella Wins to Clinch 19th Straight Playoff Appearance

Katella High School will not win its 11th league basketball championship this season, but the Knights will be making their 19th consecutive appearance in the Southern Section playoffs. They clinched that spot Wednesday night with a 68-53 victory at home over Los Alamitos.

The Knights (10-3 in league, 18-4 overall) clinched no worse than third place in the Empire League while eliminating the fourth-place Griffins (7-6, 10-12) from playoff action. Kennedy clinched the league title Friday with a victory over Esperanza.

The Knights, who missed their first six shots, started slowly, trailing 12-4 and 14-6.

But two 15-foot jump shots by Dave Linker and another by Steve Bennett trimmed the first-quarter deficit to 14-12. Another 15-footer by Bennett with 3:28 left in the first half gave the Knights their first lead, 19-18.

Katella never trailed again as a 20-5 scoring spurt produced a 16-point lead midway through the third quarter.

A free throw by J.T. Snow pulled the Griffins to within 52-43 with 4:41 left in the game, but the Knights then reeled off 11 consecutive points to put it away.

Center Bob Erbst led the Knights with 29 points, 10 rebounds and four blocked shots. Bennett chipped in 13 points, and Linker added 12.

Paul Crandall paced the Griffins with 19 points and 10 rebounds, and Snow added 11 points for the losers.

LOS ALAMITOS (53)--Irvin 8, Woods 8, Crandall 19, Snow 11, Goodman 7.

KATELLA (68)--Bennett 13, Yourstone 4, Erbst 29, Linker 12, Donnelly 3, Baldwin 2, Harker 5.

In other Empire League action:

El Dorado 64, Pacifica 58--The Golden Hawks (11-2, 20-3) controlled the second half for the victory at Pacifica. Kris Brodowski led all scorers with 16 points for the Mariners. Pacifica led at half, 24-23.

EL DORADO (64)--Mansfield 11, Sammon 15, Hakeman 13, Ramos 7, Cook 8, Bailey 2, Walker 1, Hanna 7.

PACIFICA (58)--Brown 5, Tejeda 8, Brodowski 16, Hall 6, Brodt 8, Yano 14, Needle 1.

Loara 56, Cypress 54 (4 OT)--Bobby West hit an 18-foot jump shot with 10 seconds to play in the fourth overtime to give the Saxons the victory at Cypress. Cypress’ Eric Krivashei led all scorers with 19 points. Damian Porreca scored 18 for Loara.

LOARA (56)--Shinoda 8, Parker 14, West 2, Clester 4, Miller 10, Porreca 18.

CYPRESS (54)--Civitelli 16, Johnson 2, Krivashei 19, Bausch 11, Hopkins 2, Breugenhil 2.

Kennedy 60, Esperanza 52--Kennedy clinched the league championship with the victory at home. Forward Walt Lauderdale had 11 points and 9 rebounds for the Fighting Irish (12-1). Darrin Queen added 16 points and Mike Faddoul had 10 assists for Kennedy.

ESPERANZA (52)--Dragonette 5, Webb 2, Sheets 14, Ziuaritis 15, Eaves 8, Harvey 2, Vincent 2, Johns 4.

KENNEDY (60)--Bissell 2, Davidson 6, Faddoul 8, Galante 10, Lauderdale 11, Mares 2, Queen 16, Green 5.