CENTURY LEAGUE BASKETBALL ROUNDUP : Santa Ana Valley Runs, Walks, Stalls To Victory

Santa Ana Valley scrambled back into the Century League race Friday night, by any means necessary.

The Falcons ran. They walked. They even stood and watched the seconds tick away. When it was over, they had a 49-33 victory over Orange at Santa Ana Valley.

It was second consecutive victory for the Falcons, co-champions a year ago. The had started 1-2 in league play, but now find themselves tied with Orange for second, one game out of first.

And the Falcons did it their way.

Santa Ana Valley (11-9, 3-2) held the ball for the final 7 minutes 46 seconds of the first quarter, which ended scoreless. Orange had won the opening tip and missed.

Anthony Porter then held the ball near midcourt, while the Panthers (9-10, 3-2) remained in their 2-3 zone.

“I know our strength and I know our weakness,” Falcon Coach Rich Prospero said. “We are not a good outside shooting team. We didn’t want to play against a zone. We made it a three quarter game.”

There were other advantages, as well. Falcon forwards Jovan Robinson and Jeff Serrano stayed out of foul trouble for one of the few times this season. Both played the entire game.

Robinson finished with 13 points, nine in the fourth quarter.

The pace quickened after the first quarter, with Orange using a variety of defenses. But the Panthers, who had won three consecutive games, never looked in sync.

Orange’s Gil Gonzales entered the game with 67 three-pointers, the most in Orange County. With Porter dogging his every step, Gonzales made only one of three and finished with seven points, 10 below his average.

The Falcons, meanwhile, were able to assimilate back into their offense and pick up steam.

Alex Fletcher, normally a defensive specialist, scored 11 points in the second quarter, including a pair of three-points. He finished with 16 points.

“Alex thinks he can do those kind if things on offense,” Prospero said. “Maybe he can.”

The Falcons finished with a flurry, outscoring the Panthers, 22-7, down the stretch.

“Anytime Orange wants to play a three-quarter game, tell them to give us a call,” Prospero said. “Hey, we’ll play a two-quarter game if they want.”

In other league games:

Villa Park 54, Canyon 52--Bobby Wolf had 21 points and Chip Bernards had 16 for visiting Villa Park (6-12, 2-3). Tony Pappas had 16 points and John Werhas had 14 for Canyon (10-10, 1-4).

El Modena 60, Foothill 46--Forward Aaron Aguilera led host El Modena (10-8, 4-1) with 22 points and eight rebounds. Foothill dropped to 6-10, 2-3.