CENTURY LEAGUE : Inexperience Shows, but El Modena Wins

El Modena High School’s talented and young basketball team was just that Friday night.

The Vanguards displayed plenty of ability, dominating Canyon while building an 18-point halftime lead. They also showed their inexperience by nearly blowing that lead.

In the end, the Vanguards went back to being dominating. They pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 58-44 Century League victory at El Modena.

“We were timid in the second half,” Vanguard Coach Tim Tivenan said. “We looked like we were trying not to lose rather than going at them. I guess that’s just our lack of experience.”

The Vanguards have only four seniors and start three underclassman. Of their two senior starters, only Bob Baytosh was on the team a year ago.

But what El Modena may lack in savvy, it makes up for in ability.

Canyon came into the game in second place, one behind the Vanguards. The Comanches (11-5, 2-2), have a big and well-seasoned frontline.

However, they were no match for the Vanguards, who had a 42-17 edge in rebounding.

Aaron Aguilera, the Vanguards’ 6-foot-4 sophomore center, did most of the inside work. He had 13 rebounds in the first half and 19 in all. Aguilera had eight points, six off offensive rebounds.

While Aguilera was leading the defensive effort inside, Baytosh was controling the offensive situation from the perimeter.

Baytosh made five three-point field goals to tie his school record. He finished with 21 points.

It also was Baytosh who got the Vanguards back on track in the fourth quarter. Canyon, which trailed by as many as 21 points, pulled to within 42-38 at the end of the third quarter.

However, Baytosh made consecutive three-pointers to start the fourth quarter and the Comanches never threatened again.

In other league games:

Villa Park 81, Santa Ana Valley 71--Ryan McArthur scored 25 points, David Mansolino 17 and Aaron Boone 16 for host Villa Park (5-11, 1-3).

Foothill 64, Orange 55--Sean Amos had 17 points and Jared Winger 16 to lead Foothill in Orange.