Boys’ Prep Basketball Roundup : Stewart, Joyce Help Santa Ana Stay Unbeaten With Win Over Orange

Jeff Stewart and Bobby Joyce helped the Santa Ana High School boys’ basketball team remain undefeated in Century League play with a 55-42 victory against Orange at Santa Ana Monday.

Orange had a 17-11 advantage early in the second quarter, but the Saints turned the game around with a 16-3 scoring streak. Stewart and Joyce each had six points during the span.

Stewart, a junior forward, finished the game with 18 points, while Joyce, a sophomore center, finished with 17 points, 16 rebounds and 4 blocked shots. The Saints (4-0 in league, 11-4 overall) sealed the game by making 10 of 13 free throws in the fourth quarter.

For Orange (1-3, 6-9), Dave Roth had 20 points and 16 rebounds.

In other Century League action Monday:

Canyon 68, El Modena 66--Although the Vanguards outscored the host Comanches, 21-11, in the last quarter, Canyon hung on for the upset and its first league victory. For Canyon (1-3, 5-9), center Ralph Garcia had 20 points and forward Randy Simpson had 14. Comanche guard Steve Ream had 13 points and 9 rebounds, while Jim Pavlish added 11 points and 9 rebounds. For the Vanguards (2-2, 5-7), Ryan Rycraw scored 16 points and Jason Hamlin had 14 points.

Tustin 67, Villa Park 65--The Spartans lost a chance for their first league victory by missing two free throws with 30 seconds left in the game at Villa Park. Tustin’s Rog Middleton went on to break the 65-65 tie with a pair of free throws with one second left. Middleton, who scored 24 points, made all eight of his free throws in the fourth quarter. Kevin Anderson added 14 points for the Tillers (3-1, 9-5). The game’s top scorer was senior guard Greg Burton of Villa Park (0-4, 4-8) with 31.

Foothill 63, Santa Ana Valley 39--Guard Derek Johnson scored 18 points and Doug Kopcha scored 14 points to lead the Knights to this easy win at home. Foothill (4-0, 12-3) had a 31-15 lead at halftime, and outscored the Falcons, 22-8, in the fourth quarter. Forward Alan Schlines added 12 points for Foothill. Alonzo Jamison led Santa Ana Valley with 10 points.

In South Coast action:

El Toro 61, Laguna Hills 52--The game was tied, 31-31, at halftime, but the Chargers outscored the Hawks, 16-6, in the third quarter at Laguna Hills. Jeff Stone scored 24 points for El Toro (2-1), followed by Bret Johnson with 13 and Corey Wayland with 11. The Hawks (0-2, 2-9) were led by Greg Nelson with 12 and Chris Sheff and Joe Moravick with 11 each. Sheff also had seven assists.

Irvine 65, San Clemente 62--The Vaqueros were successful in their free-throw shooting late in the game, and thus managed to win a close one at San Clemente. The score was tied 28-28 at halftime and neither team pulled ahead by more than four points for most of the game. Irvine (2-1) was led by center Shawn Patchell with 22 points, as well as Mike Herring with 15 and Jimmy Raye with 11. For the Tritons (0-3, 7-9), Gary Wade had 21 points, while Mike Steadman added 12.

Capistrano Valley 76, Dana Hills 44--The Dolphins couldn’t stop the Cougars’ fast break and, as a result, they lost their second league game. Capistrano Valley, which improves to 3-0 in league and 14-2 overall, got out to a 21-6 first-quarter lead and never was threatened.

The Cougars were led by forwards Shawn Reed, who scored a game-high 20 points, and Jason Trask, who added 17 points. Dave Lyon led Dana Hills (0-2 in league, 6-6 overall) with 16 points and Eddie Esteban added 12.