ORANGE COUNTY BOYS’ BASKETBALL : Century League : Orange Manages Ugly Win

Ed Graham, Orange High School basketball coach, went into Wednesday night’s game against El Modena with vivid memories of the Panthers’ 13-point loss to the Vanguards in the first round of Century League play three weeks ago.

He called it the worst defeat in his four years as Orange coach. The Panthers turned the ball over 28 times that night, shot 33% from the floor and were, in their coach’s estimation, “pathetic.”

Graham added: “We totally embarrassed ourselves at our place. We lost ugly.”

Round Two wasn’t exactly pretty, but Orange managed to win, 61-52, in the Vanguards’ gym. The Panthers committed 20 turnovers, and Panther guard Mark Holman was tossed out of the game along with El Modena guard Bobby Ervin in the fourth period after the two jostled for position on an in-bounds play.

But Orange did shoot 57% from the field (20 of 35) and was able to take advantage of El Modena’s penchant for fouling.

Better to win ugly than lose ugly. Orange, which opened league with a 1-3 record, has now won four straight to improve to 5-4 (10-10 overall). The Panthers moved into a three-way tie for second place with El Modena and Tustin.

Wednesday night’s game was close until the end of the third quarter, when Holman made two free throws to give Orange a six-point lead, 40-34 ), its biggest of the game. The Panthers outscored El Modena, 9-4, to start the fourth period and were in control after Vanguard starters Ryan Rycraw and Corey Ahart fouled out with more than five minutes left.

Orange went to the free-throw line 33 times in the game and made 21. Eric Dowell scored 11 of his 18 points in the fourth period, most on uncontested layups after Orange broke the Vanguards’ press. Dave Roth added 17 points and Holman, 14.

Rycraw finished with 15 points, and guard Jason Hamlin scored all 10 of his points in the fourth quarter.

Foothill 75, Villa Park 63--The Knights remained in a first-place tie with Santa Ana after their victory over the Spartans at Villa Park High School. Senior forward Derek Johnson scored 16 points, and center Alan Schlines added 13 for Foothill (8-1, 16-4). Greg Burton scored 25 for Villa Park (0-9, 4-17).

Santa Ana 64, Santa Ana Valley 55--Bobby Joyce scored 20 points to lead the Saints (8-1, 15-5) past the Falcons at Santa Ana High School. Alonzo Jamison scored 26 points for Santa Ana Valley (3-6, 9-10).

Tustin 66, Canyon 58--Rog Middleton scored 17 points and Kevin Anderson added 14 to lead the Tillers to the win at Canyon High School. After trailing, 28-22, at halftime, Tustin (5-4, 11-8) came back to outscore Canyon, 44-30, in the second half.