PREP ROUNDUP : Porter’s Shot Gives Santa Ana Valley a Victory

Santa Ana Valley Coach Rich Prospero surveyed his players during a party he hosted for the Riddick Bowe-Evander Holyfield heavyweight fight to find who they thought was the best clutch player on the team.

Most voted for Anthony Porter, and Wednesday the 5-foot-10 senior guard provided a knockout punch of his own in the opening round of the Daily Pilot Tipoff tournament at Newport Harbor High.

Porter made an eight-foot shot from the middle of the key with eight seconds remaining to give Santa Ana Valley a 54-53 victory over Garden Grove.

Porter’s shot came after Santa Ana Valley’s pressure defense had forced Garden Grove into its second turnover during the final minute of play. The Falcons had possession with 35 seconds remaining and elected to work for a final shot.

“We wanted Anthony in that situation,” Prospero said. “Our press saved us tonight, and even that has got to get better. We really lack necessary practice time.”

It showed in the first quarter when Santa Ana Valley fell behind, 15-4. But the Falcons managed to tie the score, 23-23, with a 1:15 remaining in the first half, and then the teams battled to the wire.

Porter led Santa Ana Valley with 18 points, including a pair of three-point shots, and Garden Grove’s Cornel Archer had 17 points and 10 rebounds despite sitting out half of the third quarter with four personal fouls.