CENTURY LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Santa Ana Valley Shows That Times Are Changing

This was not how things had gone in the past. Santa Ana Valley’s Steve Singleton knew that.

But somewhere, somehow, the patsy of the Century League has stopped taking it on the chin.

Santa Ana Valley’s 47-44 victory over Villa Park Friday night at Santa Ana Valley High was not merely another mark in the victory column, it was a statement. In winning, the Falcons had to erase an 18-1 first-quarter deficit, then doggedly hold on down the stretch.

“There’s no way we would have won this game last year,” said Singleton, a senior forward. “We would have stopped playing after the first quarter. But not this year. This year, we know.”

The victory left the Falcons tied for second place, a spot that they normally look up to.

Last season, they finished tied for last with a league record of 1-9, 2-17 overall. In 1989-90, they were, of course, last with a record 1-9.

This year, the Falcons are a modest 5-9 but 2-1 in league play.

Wednesday, they beat Foothill in league for the first time in eight seasons. Friday, they played in reckless, knee-burning fashion to rally against Villa Park (1-2, 7-9).

The turnaround has been simple: The Falcons simply believe.

“We have a goal to win league,” Singleton said. “That’s it.”

He has had a lot to do with the success, on the season and Friday night.

He scored 13 of his 15 points in the second half. He also clinched the victory with a steal and two free throws with 12 seconds left.

Singleton was zero for nine shooting in the first half but made six of 10 in the second including a jump shot that pulled the Falcons even, 37-37, at the start of the fourth quarter.

“At halftime, I told Steve that we were running a pick for him on our first possession,” said Rich Prospero, the first-year coach. “I want him to know we have confidence in him.”

Singleton missed that shot, then hit his next three.

Omar Zazueta, a senior guard, also persevered through tough times. He missed his first eight shots, then scored two baskets in nine seconds for a 45-41 lead with 1 minute 29 seconds left.

“Those are the guys we need to stand up and take control,” Prospero said.

That took a while. The Spartans made their first four shots and led, 18-1, with 1:55 left in the first quarter.

By halftime, they still held a comfortable, 29-17 lead. But the Santa Ana Valley press, a structured free-for-all, had begun to take its toll.

Villa Park turned the ball over 24 times, 14 in the second half.

Santa Ana Valley scored off four successive turnovers to pull with in two, 33-31, midway through the third quarter.

From there, the Falcons showed their new image.

“These kids have won some close games this year,” Prospero said. “They know how to do it.”

In other league games:

Foothill 49, Orange 47--Jeremy Holmes hit two free throws with 47 seconds left to give the Knights (9-8, 2-1) the victory at Foothill.

El Modena 52, Canyon 46--Aaron Aquilera scored 17 points and Mario Perez 11 to lead El Modena (12-5, 3-0). Tony Walker scored 16 points for Canyon (8-9, 1-2).