ORANGE COUNTY PREP BASKETBALL : Boys’ Roundup

Santa Ana 66, Irvine 47--Center Bobby Joyce sure knows how to make his presence felt as he played an instrumental role in lifting the Saints to a victory at Irvine High School.

The 6-foot 7-inch junior had a remarkable two games this week after sitting out the Saints’ previous six games for disciplinary reasons. He scored 29 points and grabbed 14 redounds against Brea-Olinda on Wednesday, and Friday night scored a game-high 18, along with 19 rebounds, against the Vaqueros, who could not stop his hot hand.

The Saints (11-5), the 10th ranked team in the county, were never in serious trouble the entire game as they played pressure defense and proved too quick for Irvine.

Irvine (8-8) committed 17 turnovers, 12 of which result in Santa Ana baskets.

The Saints led by as many as 19 points late in the third quarter, 48-29, and finished up the rest of the game at the foul line, where they were 9 of 10 in the fourth period.

Vaquero senior forward Mike Herring led his team with 18 points, but was forced to take too many outside shots which allowed the Saints to control the defensive boards. Santa Ana out rebounded Irvine 46-28.

“Overall, we were very consistent over four quarters,” said Saint Coach Greg Coombs. “We were able to move the ball inside and penetrate and that made the difference.”