Community College Playoffs : Saddleback’s Strategy Sets Up Long Beach for Big Fall, 63-62

Renny Ingram made two free throws with three seconds left to lift Saddleback College to an amazing 63-62 victory over Long Beach in a Southern California Regional men’s basketball first-round game Saturday at Long Beach.

The amazing part was how Ingram got to the free-throw line.

Long Beach’s Darren Rector made a three-point shot with three seconds left to give Long Beach a 62-61 lead.

Saddleback was then faced with inbounding the ball and getting off a shot in three seconds. But Ingram got to the line without a second ticking off the clock in a play that left the 250 fans stunned.

After each team took two time outs, Saddleback’s Terrell Malone faked a pass to the left then took off running to the right along the baseline. Guarding against the inbound pass, Long Beach’s Eddie Carswell followed right along with Malone and ran into Ingram, who was set under the basket. Carswell was called for charging, sending Ingram to the line for two shots.

“I saw Neil Edwards (Citrus Coach) use that play,” said Bill Brummel, Saddleback coach. “I wondered if it would work. I guess it did.”

Said Ingram: “I didn’t think it would work when Brummel designed it in the huddle. But we gave it a try. I was really surprised it worked so well.”

Rector tried a three-pointer from beyond halfcourt as time ran out, but this one fell harmlessly into the hands of Saddleback’s Vincent Smalls, five feet short of the basket.

Saddleback (18-11) plays at El Camino, the top-ranked team in Southern California, Wednesday in the second round.

Smalls led Saddleback with 17 points, Joe Hudson had 16 and Ingram 14.

Shawn Williams had 18 points and Rector 13 for Long Beach, which finishes its season at 19-14.

In other first-round games:

Fullerton 80, Grossmont 64--Troy Joseph scored 22 points and Geoff Adams 21 for host Fullerton (19-12). Fullerton controlled the game early, leading, 42-28, at the half. Fullerton travels to Imperial Valley Tuesday for a second-round game.

Rancho Santiago 94, San Bernardino Valley 63--Alonzo Jamison scored 25 points and Chris Martin 14 for host Rancho Santiago (24-7). Rancho Santiago opened 19-4, 25-6 and 34-11 leads and led, 52-27, at halftime. Rancho Santiago plays host to Los Angeles Harbor in the second round Wednesday. San Bernardino Valley ends its season at 16-15.

Los Angeles Harbor 109, Golden West 92--Visiting Golden West ends its season at 15-16. Los Angeles Harbor (19-9) overcame 21 turnovers for the victory.

Chaffey 72, Orange Coast 65--David Miles scored 25 points and had 20 rebounds for visiting OCC, which was eliminated. Miles scored with 1:10 left to cut the Chaffey lead to 65-63, but the Pirates could get no closer. Reid Lukes added 12 points for OCC (18-15). Chaffey (17-13) plays at Cypress Wednesday in the second round.