ORANGE LEAGUE BOYS’ BASKETBALL : Brea Olinda Takes Care of Savanna
Brea Olinda Coach Gene Lloyd didn’t conceal how important Wednesday’s Orange League game against Savanna was to him.
“As far as I’m concerned this is the biggest game of the year for us,” Lloyd said. “We need both games this week--tonight and the one Friday against Western--to show we’re going to be a force in the league. But Savanna has kind of owned us the last couple of years. I want to end this hold they’ve had over us.”
Lloyd got his wish, although it wasn’t easy. It took two free throws by John Heredia with 11 seconds left to finally secure a 70-66 victory in front of about 400 at Brea.
The Wildcats (12-6, 2-0) continued an impressive turnaround from last season. With Wednesday’s victory they have doubled their victory output from last season. And they’re doing it the way Lloyd said they would have to--with timely shooting, constant defensive pressure and sending wave after wave of fresh players into the game to keep up the pressure.
The formula worked against Savanna, ending a four-game winning streak the Rebels had against Brea. Although Savanna had seven more field goals than the Wildcats (27-20), Brea more than made up for it at the free-throw line, making 26 of 36 to 11 of 21 for the Rebels. Savanna also committed 18 turnovers and had stretches where it was difficult just to get the ball across the half-court line.
Even so, the Wildcats, whose biggest lead, 25-16, was wiped out in the second quarter, never truly knocked out the Rebels.
“I think our inexperience showed tonight. We had a chance to put them away early and we let them stay in it,” Lloyd said. “But I thought we played pretty well. I’m very pleased with the win.”
Matt Bodiford led Brea with 14 points, 10 coming from the free-throw line.
Savanna center Lee Meyers led all scorers with 17 points. He also had 13 rebounds and three blocked shots despite foul trouble.
“He’s only a sophomore--that’s scary,” said Lloyd in praising Meyers’ performance.
In other league games:
Western 67, Magnolia 50--Richard Mackie scored 25 points, Paul Lindemeyer had 15 points and Brett Vernon 11 for Western (6-11, 1-1).
Valencia 53, Anaheim 21--Jermaine Gray and James Rivera each scored 13 points to lead visiting Valencia (5-14, 2-0). Andre Hughes and Rocky Whipple each had seven points for Anaheim (1-14, 0-2).