COMMUNITY COLLEGE MEN’S REGIONAL BASKETBALL : Two County Teams Vie for State Berths

Rancho Santiago and Saddleback, the one-two finishers in the Orange Empire Conference, go after much bigger prizes tonight in the third round of the regional men’s basketball playoffs.

Rancho Santiago (23-9), the conference champion, is seeking its third consecutive State tournament berth but must win at Cerritos (29-4) in a 7:30 game to advance.

Saddleback (18-12), which finished second in the conference, travels to Ventura (31-4) for a game tonight at 7. Imperial Valley (24-10) is at Long Beach (29-5) and Compton (27-5) is at College of the Canyons (26-6) in other regional finals.

The four winners from Southern California and the four from Northern California meet March 12-14 in San Jose in the State tournament.

The four games in Northern California are: Foothill (23-7) at West Valley (28-2), City College of San Francisco (24-8) at Columbia (28-7), Skyline (24-8) at San Jose (20-10) and Canada (26-6) at Lassen (25-8).

Tonight’s games involving Orange County teams:

Rancho Santiago (23-9) at Cerritos (29-4)--The last three State titles have been won by these teams, Cerritos in 1989 and Rancho Santiago in 1990 and ’91. The teams met in November at Cerritos, with the Falcons winning, 94-72.

Rancho Santiago starting point guard Beau Hossler injured his ankle in Wednesday’s victory over El Camino. But he has recovered and is expected to start tonight.

Saddleback (18-12) at Ventura (31-4)--The last time these teams met in postseason play was the State title game in 1987 at Loyola Marymount. Ventura won, 74-70, in one of the most exciting title games in recent years.

Ventura is the top-seeded team in Southern California, but Saddleback is playing well. The Gauchos have won seven of their last eight, including playoff victories over Rio Hondo and MiraCosta.

There is little chance Ventura will take Saddleback lightly; another Orange County team--Cypress--upset the Pirates to reach the State tournament last season.