GARDEN GROVE LEAGUE BASKETBALL ROUNDUP : This Time, Santiago on Wrong End of Two-Point Score

Now, at least, the Santiago boys’ basketball team knows what the other guy feels like.

Santiago, winner of three Garden Grove League games by a two-point margin in the past 10 days, saw the other side of a close game Friday night against Rancho Alamitos.

Rancho Alamitos turned the too-close-for-comfort tables on the Cavaliers with a 60-58 victory at Santiago. The Vaqueros (7-7, 4-1 in league) moved into a second-place tie in league with Santiago (11-4, 4-1), one game behind Kennedy.

Before the game, Santiago Coach Paul Anderson expected another thrilling finish.

“All we play in this league are close games,” Anderson said. “We’ve had four wins by a total of 11 points, so I’m starting to think that’s the only way we know how to play.”

But Santiago didn’t execute like a team accustomed to close games in the final minute. After rallying from a five-point deficit to close within 60-58 with 30 seconds remaining, the Cavaliers spent 20 seconds trying for a steal before fouling Garrett Fukuda. Fukuda missed the front end of the one-and-one situation with 10 seconds left, but two Santiago players let the rebound get away.

Santiago then fouled Rith Heng, who came up with the loose ball, with six seconds left and got the rebound after Heng missed the free throw.

After a timeout, Santiago inbounded the ball under its basket, but guard Con Nguyen slipped after catching the pass and could only fire a desperation shot from three-quarter court at the buzzer.

The shot was well off the mark, which assured Santiago’s participation in another two-point game.

Ed Taylor led Rancho Alamitos with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Michael Carrasco scored 15 for Santiago.

In other Garden Grove League games:

Kennedy 76, La Quinta 34--Jermaine Galloway had 17 points and Jeff Cummins had 16 for visiting Kennedy. La Quinta is 2-12, 1-4.

Pacifica 50, Los Amigos 47--Martin Berner scored 14 points and Chris Vlasic added 12 for visiting Pacifica. Chris Blythe scored 17 points and had 16 rebounds for Los Amigos (4-10, 2-3).

Garden Grove 63, Bolsa Grande 56--Cornell Archer, Shawn Black and Ray Green each scored 10 points for Garden Grove (3-2 in league). Vince Mitchell scored 16 for Bolsa Grande.