PREP BASKETBALL : Century League Roundup : Foothill Defeats Santa Ana Valley

Foothill High School overcame some sloppiness late in the second quarter and early in the third to defeat Santa Ana Valley, 71-61, in Century League game Friday at Foothill.

The victory before 350 left Foothill (15-10, 7-3) tied with Santa Ana for second place in the league, but because Foothill beat Santa Ana in head-to-head league competition, the Knights will be the league’s No. 2 representative. Foothill will play in the 3-A division; Santa Ana will play in 5-AA.

Both teams got off to a sloppy start, combining for 20 turnovers (nine by Foothill) in the first half. Foothill ended the first quarter trailing, 17-15.

In the second quarter the lead changed hands seven times before Foothill warmed up and took control with the help of Ward Van Pelt, who hit three three-point baskets. In the last 1 1/2 minutes, the Knights outscored Santa Ana Valley, 7-2, to end the half leading, 32-28.

Foothill took better care of the ball and got hot in the third quarter, hitting seven of 11 shots while the Falcons hit only one of their first 8 attempts.

Mark Wilkinson’s jumper with about 2 minutes to play in the quarter put Foothill up by 10 points, 44-34, to break open the game.

Foothill built its lead to as many as 16 points midway through the fourth quarter. The Falcon made it interesting as Terry Ross and Bryan Singleton each hit two three-point baskets. Singleton’s second came with about a minute to play and brought Santa Ana Valley within 8 points, 69-61. But Santa Ana Valley missed its next 4 shots.

Todd Henrotin’s alley-oop to Jamal Duff accounted for the final points in the game.

Henrotin was eight of 20 from the field for 20 points and Van Pelt added 16. Chuck Steen led Santa Ana Valley (12-11, 4-6) with 16 points.

Foothill Coach Jim Reames said his team had no problems getting up for the game.

“Absolutely not!” he answered. “If we won we got to go as the second-place representative, and Santa Ana goes as the third-place team. That’s what motivated us.

“Hopefully we’ll get a home game (in the playoffs). That would help,” he said. “And we are usually in the 4-A, now we’re in the 3-A. That might help too.”

El Modena 84, Villa Park 54--Sophomore Mike Terry came off the bench to score 15 points to lead the Vanguards (20-5, 9-1) at El Modena. Terry scored 11 points in the second quarter. Robbie Pietsch scored 26 points and John Darrow 12 for El Modena. Chris Johnson scored 11 points for Villa Park (9-15, 1-10).

Santa Ana 71, Canyon 58--Leading by four points after three quarters, Santa Ana (19-7, 7-3) outscored Canyon, 24-15, in the fourth.

Sophomore Roman Yerena scored 12 of his 16 points in the fourth quarter. Mike Zamora had 17 points for Santa Ana and Chauncey Woolridge had 15. Canyon’s Bryan Vannoy led all scorers with 18. Canyon finished the season 12-13, 2-8.