Santa Ana Valley Is Too Quick for Sonora in 61-45 Victory

Ike Harmon led all scorers with 24 points and the Santa Ana Valley used superior quickness to run past Sonora, 61-45, Wednesday at Sonora.

Backing Harmon was Michael Riggins, who scored eight of his 11 points in the fourth quarter, and Olujimi Mann, who had 10.

Neither team shot especially well--the Falcons (1-0) were 22 of 61, the Raiders (0-1) 19 of 57--but Santa Ana Valley made seven three-pointers and forced 18 turnovers in the nonleague game in front of about 1,000.

“We didn’t stick to the game plan at all,” Sonora Coach Mike Murphy said. “If we play the half-court game, we’re in it. But as soon as we get into the transition game and start running with them, that was the difference.”

Sonora center Craig Clark had 21 points, 17 rebounds and six of Sonora’s seven blocked shots--including a spectacular stuff of a Harmon dunk attempt in the third quarter. Nonetheless, the Falcons’ fronting, rotating zone defense kept Clark scoreless in the fourth quarter until there was only 2 minutes 8 seconds left in game. By that time, Santa Ana Valley was ahead, 58-38.

Sonora’s last lead was 19-18 in the second quarter, but Santa Ana Valley ran off 10 consecutive points and took a 28-21 halftime lead. The Falcons blew open the game with an 8-2 run to start the third.

Sonora never got closer than 10 points the rest of the way.

Santa Ana Valley was missing three players--Jermaine Robinson was ill and at home, Robert Martin was declared ineligible and Virgil Forbin had an injured ankle.