Orange Wakes Up Just in Time to Defeat Foothill, 58-43

For almost the entire first half, the Century League boys’ basketball playoff game between Orange and Foothill was a ho-hum event.

It appeared Foothill wasn’t going to encounter much resistance in the game to determine the league’s final playoff berth.

The game got interesting late in the first half, though. Orange, 0-10 in league last season, came back to lead late in the third quarter and rolled to a 58-43 victory Saturday night at Foothill High.

Orange (12-13, 6-5) joins El Modena and Santa Ana Valley as league representatives in the Southern Section playoffs. Foothill finishes the season 11-15 overall and 5-6 in league.

“The key is we came out after that first half and we really pressured them,” Orange Coach Richard Bossenmeyer said. “Both teams were drained from last night.” Orange lost to Santa Ana Valley by one point in a slow-down game and Foothill defeated El Modena, 58-52.

Foothill led, 11-4, in the first quarter, but Orange pulled within two points at 17-15 at halftime.

Junior Gil Gonzales put the Panthers within one, 23-22, with 3 minutes 45 seconds left in the third quarter. Gonzales stole the ball from Foothill, and teammate Danny Garcia went inside for the basket, giving Orange a 24-23 lead. The Panthers never looked back.

The Panthers were 17 for 20 at the free-throw line in the fourth quarter with Nestor Cabalo, who had 16 points, making 10 of 12 shots.

Sean Morris led Foothill with 11 points.