For Laguna Hills’ Al Saldana, Superstition Is the Way

By the time Al Saldana steps onto the basketball court for Laguna Hills High School, he has made sure he is ready to go.

Before this season, a basketball court was installed in Saldana’s backyard and before each game he takes advantage of it.

“My little brother rebounds for me and I gun away,” Saldana said. “I keep shooting until I get hot and then I stop.”

Saldana, who is superstitious about his pregame behavior, likes to use a “lucky charm” before games to give himself an edge. He said he doesn’t like change when all is going well.

“If I could, I would probably wear the same underwear every game,” he said.

Wednesday, Saldana’s fortunes went beyond his expectations in a comeback victory over Woodbridge. After trailing by as many as 15 points in the third quarter, the Hawks rallied to win, 76-72, and Saldana scored 27 of his school-record 47 points in the second half. He broke the mark of 35 set by Kirby Combs in 1979.

Saldana, The Times’ Athlete of the Week, made 16 of 22 shots from the field and 15 of 17 free throws. His previous high was 32 points against Trabuco Hills last month.

“I was just red hot for some reason,” Saldana said. “I don’t know. I was totally red hot.”

Laguna Hills Coach Dave Brown agreed. “That’s as hot as he has been,” Brown said. “In the fourth quarter, down the stretch, is where he really turned it on. I don’t think he missed a shot then.”

Brown said Saldana improved his scoring ability in the second half of the Pacific Coast League season. Saldana, a 6-1 senior, is averaging 15.5 points this season and about 22 in league games.

“He’s never been a scorer,” Brown said. “He’s been more of a defensive stopper. He’s just really developed his role as ballhandler and scorer as the season has gone along.”

Brown said he depends on Saldana to defend the best player on opposing teams, from the point guard to the center.

“His best trait, to me, is how hard he plays and how hard he competes,” Brown said. “He would be very important to us if he didn’t score a point.”

TOP PERFORMERS

Fred Amos and Mark Wilkinson led Foothill to two victories as the Knights finished an undefeated Century League season. Wednesday, Amos, a 6-7 center, had 22 points and Wilkinson, a 6-3 forward, had 20 in a 61-43 victory over Santa Ana Valley. Wilkinson scored 23 points and Amos scored 17 in a 75-54 victory over Santa Ana Friday.

Greg Daman scored four goals in the second half as Trabuco Hills defeated Woodbridge, 5-0, Wednesday and clinched a spot in the Southern Section soccer playoffs. Damas, a senior forward, has 26 goals this season.

Rob Johnson of El Toro scored 23 points in a 70-61 victory over San Clemente Wednesday and 20 points in a 78-73 victory over Capistrano Valley Friday.

Al Saldana

Laguna Hills High School

* Position: Guard/forward

* Height, Weight, Class: 6-1, 170, Senior

* Last Week: Saldana scored a school-record 47 points in a victory over Woodbridge Wednesday.

* Season: Saldana is averaging 15.5 points.