Foothill, Santa Ana Try for Playoff Edge

A contrast in playing styles, tempo and personnel will be featured at 7:30 tonight when Santa Ana High School plays at Foothill for first place in the Century League.

Foothill (14-3) is a methodical team that relies on patience and good passing to set up high-percentage shots. Santa Ana (13-4) plays a running game and features four quick and talented underclassmen in its starting lineup.

The teams do share one thing in common--first place with 6-0 records in the eight-team league. The winner is almost assured of a playoff berth with seven games remaining.

“I was going through the standings and figured the winner of this game will have a three-game lead over the third-place team in the league with seven to go,” said Greg Coombs, Santa Ana coach.

Eric Turner, the only senior in the Saints’ starting lineup, will return to play following a three-day suspension from school. Turner averages 14.4 points and 10.0 rebounds per game.

The team’s most talented player is 6-foot 6-inch sophomore Bobby Joyce, who has played extremely well in his last nine games and is averaging 14.5 points and 12.2 rebounds.

“We maintained a 10-point lead throughout the game and didn’t have a letdown,” Coombs said. “What’s really been a pleasant surprise has been the play of our two reserves, Willie Lane and Leo Leon, coming off the bench.”

Jim Reames, Foothill coach, concedes that the Saints are quicker with stronger rebounders. But he thinks his team rates a big advantage playing at home.

“I think we’ll shoot better than Santa Ana playing at home,” he said. “I’m wondering about their inexperience in a big game like this. Their quickness worries me.”

In other Century League games, Canyon is at Orange, El Modena meets Tustin and Santa Ana Valley plays host to Villa Park.

EMPIRE LEAGUE

Los Alamitos (5-1, 11-4) at El Dorado (5-1, 13-3): Both teams are facing the toughest part of the league schedule. Los Alamitos is coming off a 69-57 loss to Katella. El Dorado travels to Katella on Friday night. Neither team can afford a loss in this game and hope to win the league championship. Also: Katella at Cypress, Esperanza at Loara and Kennedy at Pacifica.

FREEWAY LEAGUE

Troy (2-0, 8-7) at Buena Park (2-0, 6-8): Just when Buena Park Coach Ken Bell figured there was no way he could replace last year’s most valuable player, Reggie Brown, a transfer arrived from Carson. Newcomer Gary Hunter is averaging 12.2 points in eight games. Troy counters with Robbie Burrer. Also: La Habra at Fullerton and Sonora at Sunny Hills.

GARDEN GROVE LEAGUE

Bolsa Grande (3-0, 10-5) at Rancho Alamitos (3-0, 9-7): Forward Joe Small averages 15.3 points and 10.7 rebounds and is shooting 59% from the field for Bolsa Grande. Rancho Alamitos has the league’s best athlete, Roger Carter, and the county’s tallest player, 7-foot center Lee Velasquez. Also: Garden Grove at Los Amigos and Santiago at La Quinta.

ORANGE LEAGUE

Savanna (2-0, 4-8) at Valencia (1-1, 9-5): The Rebels might be looking at a long week with league-leading Brea-Olinda on Friday. Mike Campbell paces Savanna with a 14.8 scoring average and guard William Kemple averages seven assists per game. Also: Western at Magnolia and Brea-Olinda at Anaheim.

SEA VIEW LEAGUE

University (3-2, 7-8) at Woodbridge (3-2, 14-4): Basketball in the city of Irvine has arrived and will be prominently displayed in this game. Two sophomores--Adam Keefe of Woodbridge and Steve Stolzoff of University--are among the county’s leading underclassmen. Keefe leads Woodbridge with 19.1 scoring and 12.1 rebounding averages, and Stolzoff averages 14.8 points per game. Also: Costa Mesa at Corona del Mar, Estancia at Saddleback and Laguna Beach at Newport Harbor.

SOUTH COAST LEAGUE

Mission Viejo (3-1, 13-5) at El Toro (3-1, 9-7): Diablo center Tim Knowles is among the county leaders in scoring (15.8), rebounding (10.1), field goal percentage (59%) and assists (4.8). Teammate Jeff Herdman scored 37 points in his last game. El Toro starts three sophomores, led by football star Bret Johnson. Also: Laguna Hills at Capistrano Valley and San Clemente at Dana Hills.

SUNSET LEAGUE

Ocean View (3-0, 13-4) at Huntington Beach (1-2, 7-10): Can any team in the county match the Seahawks’ top three shooters? Center Ricky Butler is averaging 61% from the floor, guard Tony Panzica is at 56% and forward Desi Hazely is shooting 53%. Also: Fountain Valley at Edison and Marina at Westminster.