Molle Leads Saddleback in Clincher

Sophomore John Molle displayed perfect balance, scoring 16 points in each half, as Saddleback College clinched the Orange Empire Conference men’s basketball title with an 85-69 victory over Cypress Wednesday at Saddleback.

It was the first conference title for Saddleback and Coach Bill Brummel since the Gauchos won the Mission Conference in 1981.

Molle, from Irvine High School, was the difference for the Gauchos (23-7, 11-2 in conference), which completed their unlikely title run.

Saddleback was picked as a middle-of-the-pack team, and even that seemed in doubt after the Gauchos lost their top two point guards to injuries early on.

But the 6-foot-4 Molle and freshman Jaime Todd took over much of the ballhandling chores this season.

Molle, who averages a team-leading 18 points, hit nine of 13 from the field, including three of four on three-point tries. Molle was also 11 of 15 on free-throw attempts.

Molle had five assists and six rebounds and Todd had seven assists.

“I needed to step up tonight,” Molle said. “I had to play hard and show some leadership out there. I think we played really well tonight.”

Cypress (24-8, 9-4) started the night with a six-game winning streak and was a game behind Saddleback. The Chargers are now in a second-place tie with Riverside, two games back with one to play. Rancho Santiago (8-5), which won the conference title the previous two seasons, is in fourth.

Cypress trailed, 38-34, at the half, but tied the score on four consecutive points from Jim Falletta. Saddleback then went on a 10-0 run, including seven points from Molle, to lead, 48-38, with 16 minutes 50 seconds left.

Saddleback’s biggest lead was 17 points, at 63-46 with 10:06 left. Cypress used a full-court press in an effort to cut down the Saddleback lead and the Chargers were able to get as close as nine twice.

Jeff Foster, a sophomore guard, played an impressive second half for Saddleback. He was held to two points in the first half, but got loose for 14 points in the second.

Antoine Jefferson had 13 points and Kevin Fricka added 10 for Saddleback. Fricka had 13 rebounds in helping Saddleback out-rebound Cypress, 38-26.

“I think the best team won the (conference),” Cypress Coach Don Johnson said. “They played hard, ran their offense well and were more patient than us.”

Robbie Shelton finished with 19 pointsand Falletta had 13 for Cypress.

“We’re really happy about the title,” Brummel said. “What makes it great is that we are in such a tough conference. From top to bottom, it is the best in Southern California.”