CENTURY LEAGUE BASKETBALL ROUNDUP : Foothill Shows Championship Form in Victory

Foothill High School had every reason to sleepwalk through its regular-season finale against Santa Ana Friday night.

The Knights came into the half-empty gymnasium at Santa Ana as the proud owners of the Century League championship, having clinched the title last Friday.

Foothill also was Orange County’s ninth-ranked team and was riding a nine-game winning streak.

The Knights could have turned in a forgetable performance in a meaningless game, but the they didn’t, routing Santa Ana, 75-54.

The victory pushed Foothill’s record to 18-6 overall, 10-0 in Century League play. It was the first time in the school’s history the Knights had gone undefeated in league play.

“We went 13-1 in 1982-83,” Foothill Coach Jim Reames said. “It’s tough to go undefeated in this league.”

Santa Ana had won the past four Century League titles.

Guard Mark Wilkinson had 23 points, most on quick drives that led to layups and and short jump shots, to lead Foothill. Center Fred Amos added 17 and forward Nick Konopisos 15.

“We’re playing pretty good basketball right now,” Reames said. “The last few games, the margins have been 15 to 20 points. Hopefully, we’ll get a good seeding, maybe one of the top four in the (Southern Section) 3-AA.”

Playoff pairings will be announced Sunday afternoon.

Foothill led, 20-8, at the end of the first quarter and the game was never in doubt. By halftime, the Knights’ lead grew to 38-17.

Konopisos had nine points and Wilkinson six during the pivotal second quarter when Foothill outscored Santa Ana, 18-9. A 9-2 run by Foothill over the final 4:18 of the half decided the game.

With a victory out of reach, Santa Ana’s smooth forward Chauncey Woolridge took the opportunity to show off his jump shot. And his drives to the basket. And his leaping ability. And his rebounding.

Even in defeat, it was an impressive display.

Woolridge had a game-high 25 points, missing only one of his eight shots from the field in the second half.

A fade-away, eight-foot bank shot and a pretty, stop-and-go move that set up a fast-break layup were the most impressive of his 19 points in the second half.

Woolridge was the only scorer in double figures for the Saints (10-13, 5-5).

In other league games:

Canyon 51, El Modena 49--Abdi Barkhordar scored on a layin after a steal by Dan Bottiaux with about 40 seconds left to give Canyon a lead that held up at El Modena. Barkhordar had a game-high 18 points for Canyon (14-10, 7-3). Kevin Wilborn added 16 for Canyon. Jeff Leedom led El Modena (13-11, 5-5) with 14 points.

Villa Park 58, Santa Ana Valley 55--Aaron Boone scored 17 points and Alex Vicario 11 to lead host Villa Park (3-17, 2-8) to its best league record since 1984. George Alvarado had 26 points for Santa Ana Valley (4-16, 1-9).