COMMUNITY COLLEGE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA MEN’S BASKETBALL REGIONAL : Saddleback Uses Reserves, Zone Press to Oust Rio Hondo

Saddleback showed off its bench strength, ability to zone trap and sophomore John Molle in an 80-61 victory over Rio Hondo in the second round of the Southern California playoffs Wednesday at Saddleback.

Saddleback shot poorly for much of the first half and only a three-pointer by Jaime Todd, after he picked up a loose ball, cut the Rio Hondo lead to 35-32 at the break. The teams traded baskets early in the second half, but with 15 minutes left, Saddleback Coach Bill Brummel put his team into a one-three-one zone press.

Saddleback (26-7) used that to go on a 15-0 run after the teams were tied, 49-49, with 9 minutes 36 seconds left. Molle had eight points in the run and reserve Derrick Walsh added five, including a three-point play.

Molle was one of many Gauchos who stepped up in the second half after starting forward Antoine Jefferson fouled out with 14:17 remaining. Jefferson, who averaged 16 points, left with 11.

His replacement, Sean Warren, had 12 points, with seven coming after Jefferson’s early exit. Walsh added 10, seven of which came in the second half.

“It changed the tempo of the game,” Brummel said of the zone press. “Sean just gives us a lot of options because he can play two positions. Jaime Todd was the one who spearheaded that press that really gave us a lift.”

Molle benefited most from change in tempo. He had 20 of his game-high 28 in the second half. He was 10 of 15 from the field and was six of eight on free throws.

“That was a big loss when Antoine fouled out,” Molle said. “That took away a lot. I thought I had to step up but we had a lot of help from the bench players who also stepped up.”

Saddleback advances to play Saturday at home against Los Angeles Trade Tech, which upset Long Beach, 85-83. The winner of the 7 p.m. game advances to the State Tournament March 11-13 at the University of San Francisco.

It was the second consecutive season in which Rio Hondo and Coach Don Frank had lost in the playoffs at Saddleback. The Gauchos beat Rio Hondo in the first round last season, 70-62.

“It’s obvious we didn’t handle their one-three-one zone very well,” said Frank, who was an assistant for eight seasons at Rancho Santiago. “We knew what we were supposed to do, but obviously we didn’t do it.”

In other playoff games:

Ventura 111, Rancho Santiago 83--Host Ventura (33-1) rolled at home behind forwards Brandon Jessie, who finished with a team-high 27 points, and Calvin Curry, who had 24 points. Jessie, from Edison High School, had a game-high 14 rebounds.

Ruben Oronoz had a career-high 32 points for Rancho Santiago (20-13). Fred Amos blocked four shots to end his career with a school-record 140.

“They are so effective in that they shoot the ball so well and they’re such a physical team and a good defensive team,” Rancho Santiago Coach Dana Pagett said. “You put those things together and it’s hard to come back.”

Ventura plays host to Compton at 5:30 p.m. Saturday.

In another second-round game:

Mira Costa 76, Fullerton 72--Bobby Natoya had 20 points and Greg Williams had seven assists for Fullerton (16-18). MiraCosta advances at Riverside Saturday for a berth in the State Tournament.