SOUTHERN SECTION DIVISION I-AA BOYS’ BASKETBALL ROUNDUP : Fountain Valley Stops Esperanza

Fountain Valley combined consistent field-goal and free-throw shooting with solid defense to defeat Esperanza, 57-45, in the second round of the Southern Section Division I-AA boys’ basketball playoffs Friday night at Esperanza High School.

The Sunset League champion Barons (22-5) led from the opening minutes behind 57.1% shooting from the floor and 15-of-17 shooting from the free-throw line, including seven of eight down the stretch by guard Danny Hoppie. The Barons play Long Beach Poly in Tuesday’s quarterfinals.

“We played real well defensively,” Fountain Valley Coach Gordon Billingsley said. “I’m real happy to be where we are. Everything is icing on the cake. We really came together as a team and played well together tonight.”

Esperanza (18-9) made a run at Fountain Valley and trailed after three quarters, 40-34, on Mike Lawson’s turnaround shot in the key with four seconds remaining in the quarter.

But Baron reserve guard Dave Arvesen, playing extensively for the first time in four games since injuring a tooth against Huntington Beach, hit a basket, two free throws and a three-point field goal with 6:12 remaining to open up a 47-36 lead.

Fountain Valley center Phil Domingo led all scorers with 17 points on eight-of-11 shooting. Lawson led Esperanza with 16 points.