Century League : Santa Ana Wins on Off-Balance Shot, Qualifies for Playoffs

Greg Coombs, Santa Ana High School coach, admitted Leo Leon’s short, baseline jumper against Orange wasn’t the prettiest shot he’s seen this season, but it’s difficult to imagine a more important one for the Saints.

Leon’s off balance, five-footer with two seconds left pounded the rim twice before falling in to give Santa Ana a 48-47 Century League win at Orange.

The win clinched a playoff berth for the Saints (10-1, 17-5).

Playoffs aside, the win was big because the Saints played without starting center Bobby Joyce, who was suspended for the game because of his involvement in a fight in a game against Tustin last Friday.

Joyce, a sophomore, was averaging 14.8 points a game and 11.8 rebounds.

“We really wanted this one,” Coombs said. “First for the team, of course, and second for Bobby.”

Santa Ana led for most of the game, taking a 36-33 lead into the fourth quarter. It increased its lead to seven points with 3:20 remaining.

But Orange (6-5, 11-11), assisted by three Santa Ana misses at the foul line and a traveling call on Leon, came within a point, 46-45, when Dave Roth made two free throws with 58 seconds left. Roth ended the game with 21 points.

The Panthers got the ball back with 30 seconds left when Willie Lane missed the front end of a one-and-one opportunity. Fifteen seconds later, Scott Smith made an 18-foot jump shot from the baseline to put Orange ahead, 47-46.

The Panthers attempted to slow the Saints with a full-court press, but sophomore point guard Scooti Lynwood had no trouble dribbling by the pressure and getting the ball to Leon on the baseline.

“I was surprised they pressed,” Coombs said. “Scooti just blew by the pressure. He did a great job of going to the key and bringing the defense toward him.”

Lynwood, who tied a Santa Ana assist record with 11, incurred the wrath of the Orange student section throughout the game.

The Panthers possess one of the nosiest gyms in Orange County. A few male student supporters showed up in wigs and cheerleader uniforms. One guy added a rainbow wig, sunglasses, sweat pants and black shoes. Orange takes its basketball seriously.

They chanted, “Sophomore, sophomore,” whenever Lynwood touched the ball. But in the end it was Santa Ana’s sophomores who beat the Panthers.

Lynwood had 11 points. Willie Lane had 10 points and played a strong inside game. Leon had 6, the most important of which was the least pretty.

SANTA ANA (48)--Lynwood 11, Stewart 7, Leon 6, Lane 10, Turner 14.

ORANGE (47)--Roth 21, Dowell 4, Holman 6, J. Smith 4, Adams 10, S. Smith 2.

Foothill 59, Santa Ana Valley 48--The Knights overcame a nine-point deficit after the first quarter to outscore the Falcons, 51-31, in the next three and win at Santa Ana Valley. Foothill (9-2, 19-5) was led by Doug Kopcha’s 22 points. Dave Rasmussen added 16 for the Knights. Santa Ana Valley (4-7, 10-11) was led by Alonzo Jamison, who scored 15.

FOOTHILL (59)--Johnson 4, Schlines 13, Grahovac 4, Rasmussen 16, Kopcha 22.

SANTA ANA VALLEY (48)--Jamison 15, Wilchie 9, Contreras 4, Alverez 2, Nguyen 6, Acosta 2, Johnson 2, Quinn 8.

El Modena 81, Canyon 72--Jason Hamlin scored 17 points and Darren DeFeo added 15 as the Vanguards (7-4, 10-9) won at home. Canyon (2-9, 6-15) was led by John Williams’ 22 points. Steve Ream added 17 for the Comanches

CANYON (72)--Garcia 14, Mury 4, Simpson 2, Ream 17, Frye 2, Williams 22, Jones 6, Pablish 5.

EL MODENA (81)--Ervin 6, Hamlin 17, Ahart 14, Rycraw 12, Matlock 7, Steingraber 10, DeFeo 15.

Tustin 85, Villa Park 70-- Kevin Anderson scored a career-high 38 points to lead the Tillers (6-5, 12-9) at Villa Park (0-11, 4-15). Chris Stork led the Spartans with 27 points.

VILLA PARK (70)-- Gray 1, Barnett 8, Burton 20, Tanner 6, Stork 27, Creagan 2, Sipe 4, Smith 2, Moffitt 2.

TUSTIN (85)-- Parker 16, Middleton 11, Herman 2, Menges 14, Walker 2, Clark 3, Anderson 38.