ORANGE COUNTY PREP BASKETBALL : Orange League : Magnolia Warms Up, Defeats Valencia

After Magnolia High School defeated Valencia, 52-49, at Anaheim Friday night, the Sentinels showered Coach Al Walin with a bucket of ice water, New York Giants-style. And the way Walin sounded after the Orange League game, the Sentinels should be preparing for a championship celebration.

“We’re undefeated at home now. I don’t think we’re going to lose one,” said Walin, whose team is tied for first with Brea-Olinda, which defeated Anaheim Friday. Magnolia plays three of its last four games at home. “We’re on a roll.”

But Walin wasn’t as confident in the second quarter when his Sentinels (5-1, 15-4) were the ones ice cold, hitting only 3 of 10 shots to trail at halftime, 32-26.

It didn’t help that a technical foul called on Pat Walker, Magnolia assistant coach, led to a six-point play for the Tigers at the end of the second quarter. Valencia hit four free throws, two for the technical and two for the foul Walker had protested, and scored again when given possession after the technical shots.

Magnolia adjusted its offense at halftime, however, and outscored Valencia (4-2, 14-5) in the third quarter, 16-6.

“They just didn’t mesh (in the second quarter). They got confused . . .” Walin said. “But we put it together at halftime and turned it around.”

Ray Rodriguez, Valencia coach, said that the Sentinels’ defense may have had more to do with the comeback. “They played man pressure and took us out of our offense. We had 12 turnovers (in the third quarter). That’s 48 in a game.”

Forward Mike Goff led the Sentinels with 24 points (8 of 12 from the field) and 12 rebounds. He hit six of nine free throws in the closing minutes to clinch the win. Victor Banuelos scored 13 for Magnolia, while Mark Lyon added 11 points and 8 rebounds.

Dennis Burbank paced Valencia with 19 points (5 of 7 from the field, 7 of 8 free throws). Bernie James scored 17 for the Tigers.

Brea-Olinda 79, Anaheim 52--Bob Terry scored 23 points and Senior Ron Thomas 22 for the Wildcats as they outscored Colonists, 26-6, in the first quarter.

Earnest Johnston scored 24 for Anaheim (1-5, 3-15).

Savanna 49, Western 45--Chris Bowen scored 16 points but it wasn’t enough as the Rebels (3-3, 5-13) defeated the Pioneers (0-6, 8-11) at Western.