SUNSET LEAGUE BOYS’ BASKETBALL : Fountain Valley Wins, Clinches Share of Title

Fountain Valley Coach Gordon Billingsley had plenty to smile about after watching his team’s 54-42 victory over Ocean View Wednesday at Fountain Valley High.

“It’s been a long time,” Billingsley said. “This feels good.”

Paced by the three players who have led them all season, the ninth-ranked Barons clinched a share of its first league title since the 1984-85 season.

Phil Domingo had 16 points and 15 rebounds, Brandon Leimbach had 15 points and 10 rebounds and point guard Danny Hoppie had five points, nine rebounds, seven assists and five steals to lead Fountain Valley (19-5, 11-2 in league).

“Danny hasn’t gotten as much recognition as Phil and Brandon, but he’s been real important to us all year,” Billingsley said. “He’s our best ballhandler, and I leave him in there all the time. If he gets tired, I call time out.”

Timeouts couldn’t stop the Seahawks’ slide. Ocean View (12-13, 7-6) lost its fourth consecutive game and has gone from challenging for the league title to fighting for a playoff spot.

During the losing streak, Ocean View Coach Jim Harris said, the Seahawks have struggled offensively, and one quarter of poor shooting did them in this time.

At halftime, Fountain Valley led, 29-23, before breaking open the game. Ocean View made only one of 13 shots from the field in the third quarter, scoring only two points as the Barons opened a 41-25 lead.

Ocean View tried to rally behind Mike Carney, who had 17 points, including three three-pointers. But the Seahawks never drew closer than nine points.

Sophomore Nathan Strange came off the bench to score 10 points for Fountain Valley.

Ocean View sophomore Marvin Marquez scored eight points, including two three-pointers in the second quarter, for Ocean View.

In other league games:

Huntington Beach 88, Westminster 56--Tony Gonzalez scored a career-high 43 points, making 15 of 18 field-goal attempts, for 10th-ranked Huntington Beach (16-9, 10-3). Gia Tran scored 12 points for Westminster (5-18, 1-12).

Servite 69, Marina 54--Mark Seaton had 19 points and 11 rebounds and Kristian Vallas had 17 points for host Servite (17-7, 10-3). Eric Endsley had 18 points for Marina (10-15, 4-9).

Edison 73, Santa Ana 42--Forward Micah Kroeger scored 19 points and guard Jason Sist added 12 for host Edison (14-8, 2-11). Randy Cruz and Cesar Diaz each scored 11 points for Santa Ana (3-17, 2-11).