BOYS’ BASKETBALL ROUNDUP : Billingsley Has Right to Enjoy Upset Victory

Fountain Valley’s 36-35 victory over Santa Margarita wasn’t pretty, but it put a smile on the face of Baron Coach Gordon Billingsley.

He was beaming Wednesday after Fountain Valley advanced to the semifinals of the Orange Holiday Classic boys’ basketball tournament. The Barons’ victory at Chapman University came over previously unbeaten Santa Margarita, the fourth-ranked team in Orange County.

“This is our biggest win this season,” Billingsley said. “It’s always nice to give a team its first loss.”

The Barons (7-4) were facing defeat in the final seconds, but Daniel Keller’s driving layup along the left baseline gave Fountain Valley the lead for good, 35-34, with 20 seconds remaining.

After Santa Margarita (11-1) turned the ball over on its next possession, Keller made the front end of a one-and-one situation with 10 seconds remaining to make it 36-34.

Santa Margarita had one last chance when Nick Maroutsos drew a foul with two seconds remaining. After Maroutsos made the first free throw, the second rattled in but popped out and Fountain Valley’s Javier Scalini grabbed the rebound to end the game.

The Eagles struggled against Fountain Valley’s match-up zone and shot 31% from the field. Dennis Keane and Allen Krist led Santa Margarita with eight points each.

Fountain Valley battled through equally frigid shooting--making only 28% from the field--but made the plays that counted.

Guard Paul Tayyar scored 14 points, including four three-pointers, and had 11 of the Barons’ 16 points in the second quarter to give Fountain Valley a 21-19 lead at halftime.

“Phil Domingo (six points) didn’t score much, but I thought he controlled the boards,” Billingsley said. “Paul stepped up and had a big game tonight. Mike Arvesen hit a big three-pointer in the fourth quarter.”