Sunset League : Westminster Proves It’s for Real With Win Over Fountain Valley

There’s a powerful new force to be reckoned with in the Sunset League basketball race and, believe it or not, it’s Westminster High School.

“People won’t believe it when we’re in first place,” Lion Coach Dick Katz said after watching Westminster give Fountain Valley its first league loss, 55-51, Wednesday night at Foutain Valley. Westminster is 3-1, 8-7.

“Our kids have known all along that we’re a good team. We’re proving it right now,” Katz said.

One coach who said he isn’t surprised by Westminster is Dave Brown of Fountain Valley.

“I expected them to be a good team,” Brown said. “I think everybody in the Sunset League knows they’re for real.”

Westminster, with 15 points and 13 rebounds from Chris Tower, overcame a rash of turnovers to equal its total of victories in league last season. The Lions made 14 of their 19 free-throw attempts (71%) to compensate for 24 turnovers and a six-point first quarter.

Except for Rob Briggs, Fountain Valley (3-1, 9-7) had trouble shooting. Briggs scored 20 points and hit 9 of 16 shots from the floor. As a team, the Barons were 8 for 17 from the free-throw line (47%) and 21 for 51 from the field (41%).

The Lions’ tight man-to-man defense forced 20 Fountain Valley turnovers. The Barons, with their matchup zone defense, controlled most of the first half before the Lions went on a 17-5 run.

Fountain Valley tied the score at 31-31 and 33-33 but never led after halftime.

Edison 55, Ocean View 48--After a 31-17 halftime lead, the Chargers stalled when senior guard Mike Henderson sprained his ankle coming down from a rebound. Scott DeStefano had 18 points and junior forward Chip Hanlon had 10 rebounds for the Chargers (1-3, 9-9). Ricky Butler had 15 points for Ocean View.

Marina 80, Huntington Beach 34--Marina forward Steve Guild scored 22 points to lead the Vikings. Center Mark Georgeson added 11 for Marina. The Vikings had 12 players score. Kevin Brazzel led Huntington Beach with 14 points.