Century League : Santa Ana, Without Turner, Whips El Modena

Despite being without the services of starting forward and three-year letterman Eric Turner, Santa Ana High (13-4, 6-0) rolled to a 63-55 victory over El Modena (6-8, 3-3) Friday night at Santa Ana to maintain a share of first place in the Century League with Foothill.

Turner, who was serving a one game suspension for what Santa Ana Coach Greg Coombs called a “non-basketball related reason,” has been a key ingredient in the Saints’ success so far this year.

But Turner was hardly missed against the Vanguards as junior forward Jeff Stewart and sophomore center Bobby Joyce picked up the slack nicely. Stewart, 6-2, 180, scored 24 points while teammate Joyce, 6-4, 170, added 21 to lead the Saints offense.

“This was a very big win for us,” said Coombs. “Especially without Turner. We really started four sophomores tonight and to beat a team as good as El Modena without your leader is great.

“Lane, Joyce, (Scotti) Lynwood, and (Leo) Leon all did great jobs out there. They played like juniors and seniors because they have that special confidence and because they know we expect it from them.”

Santa Ana led by four at the half, 31-27, but thanks to four straight baskets to open the third quarter by Stewart, the Saints pulled out to a 14-point lead and El Modena never came closer than eight points the rest of the game.

“We felt if we could get our lead to 10, we could pull the offense out and hold it for a while. And with a backcourt like ours, we’re tough to guard,” Coombs said. “Fortunately for us, we were able to do that at the start of the second half.”

Next for Santa Ana is Foothill, which also is 6-0 in league play after a 66-54 win over Tustin. According to Coombs, it’s the Knights who have to be considered favorites going into the game.

“They’re a very good shooting team as well as a good coached team and I think they are playing the best of anyone right now, so it will be tough to go in there and beat them on their home floor.”

EL MODENA (55)--Ervin 1, Hamlin 11, Ahart 14, Rycraw 16, Degree 3, Steingraber 4, De Feo 6.

SANTA ANA (63)--Lynwood 6, Stewart 24, Leon 1, Tuioti 1, Bailey 4, Lane 6, Joyce 21.