Santa Ana Valley Holds On Without Mann, Beats Ayala

Despite playing without leading scorer Olujimi Mann down the stretch, Santa Ana Valley beat Chino Hills Ayala, 68-64, in a Division I-AA boys’ basketball quarterfinal game Tuesday at Century High.

The fourth-seeded Falcons (26-3) play Crescenta Valley, which upset top-seeded Fontana, in a semifinal Friday.

The Falcons led by as many as 21 points in the third quarter, but Ayala rallied to within nine at the end of the third quarter.

John Holmes then opened the fourth with six consecutive points and Ayala trailed, 58-55.

Soon after, Mann fouled out with 5 minutes 53 seconds remaining and the Falcons leading, 60-56. Mann scored a game-high 23.

Ayala (22-5) took advantage of Mann’s absence, scoring six consecutive points to take its first lead, 62-60.

However, Santa Ana Valley then scored its first points in more than four minutes when Carlos Quezada hit a three-pointer with 2:20 remaining.

After Santa Ana Valley’s Jermaine Robinson made one of two free throws, Holmes’ steal and layup tied the score, 64-64, with 36 seconds left.

However, Michael Riggins scored on an uncontested layup with 30 seconds remaining, giving Santa Ana Valley its final lead.