Orange League : Western Gets Healthy With Win Over Anaheim

For the first time this season, Western High School basketball Coach Greg Hoffman had a healthy starting squad Wednesday night. That gave him good reason to smile as the Pioneers rolled over Anaheim, 49-34, to clinch a playoff spot at Anaheim.

The Pioneers (4-5, 9-12) came into the game with three starters who had been suffering from injuries: Guard Chuck Powell (knee), forward Pat Bush (ankle) and senior forward Troy Joseph (tendinitis in both knees).

“We are a good team when everyone is healthy, and we showed that tonight,” Hoffman said.

The Colonists (3-6, 11-11) committed 15 first-half turnovers and Western committed 11.

Anaheim Coach Conrad Byars said: “It was our worst game all year, and turnovers really did us in.”

The Pioneers led at the half, 21-13.

Western outrebounded Anaheim in the half, 12-8. Troy Joseph had five first-half rebounds for the Pioneers.

Joseph, who had 21 points the last time the teams met, had only 11 this time, but played well down the stretch and grabbed 10 rebounds.

Western forward Alvin Lott led all scorers with 16 points. Teammate Chuck Powell added 12.

Western’s defense played exceptionally well, holding Colonist forward Tony Rubuffo, who is averaging 17 points a game, to only 10 points.

Anaheim cut the lead to three points with 5:40 remaining in the game when senior forward Will Barber hit a turnaround jumper and was fouled. The free throw made it 31-28.

Western put the game away 1 1/2 minutes later when Lott hit a baseline jumper for a 35-28 lead and the momentum.

“Our kids rose to the occasion,” said Hoffman. “We broke their half-court press and they didn’t shoot well, which made the difference.”

WESTERN (49)--Joseph 11, Lott 16, Bush 4, Hansen 2, Bowen 2, Powell 12, Giovannini 2.

ANAHEIM (34)--Barber 8, Gistlinck 4, Johnston 5, Pacheco 7, Rubuffo 10.

Valencia 57, Magnolia 42-- Senior guard David LaRue scored 22 points to lead the Tigers (5-4,13-8) at home over the Sentinels (3-6, 8-13), clinching a playoff berth.

Mark Lyons paced Magnolia with 15 points. Forward Kevin Jones turned in a fine all-around performance for the Sentinels with 10 points, 14 rebounds, and 6 assists.

MAGNOLIA (42)-- Banuelos 4, Goff 10, Czech 4, Lyons 15, Wittman 3, Knudtson 3, Gregory 2, Picon 1.

VALENCIA (57)-- Nakawaki 6, Jones 10, Burbank 6, Larue 22, Hood 6, Herrel 3, Huygen 4.

Brea-Olinda 64, Savanna 47--The Wildcats won this one at the foul line.

Brea made only one more field goal than the Rebels but was 20 of 34 from the line. Savanna made 5 of 15 free throws.

Kevin Walker, who made 8 of his 10 free-throw attempts, led Brea with 24 points. Brad Veale was Savanna’s leading scorer with 22 points.

Brea ran its record to 9-0 in league play and 20-4 overall; Savanna dropped to 3-6 and 8-13.

BREA-OLINDA (64)--Cooper 4, Francis 10, Anderson 5, Chiotti 3, Williams 5, Dossey 2, Johnson 3, Walker 24, Tousey 8.

SAVANNA (47)--Campbell 13, Veale 22, Kemple 2, Smith 4, Hunt 2, Cope 4.