BOYS’ BASKETBALL / FREEWAY LEAGUE : Despite Sand, Sonora Dominates Troy, 64-48

Those seeking an early pivotal game in the Freeway League on Friday did not have to look further than the Troy High gym.

Troy and Sonora brought 2-0 league marks to the game here, and both had missions. The Raiders, ranked fourth in the county, had memories of losing to Troy twice last season--which helped the Warriors earn a co-league championship with Sonora--and wanted to halt the trend.

Fueled by their seven-foot center Craig Clark--who had 11 of his 18 points in the first quarter, plus 10 rebounds, three blocks --the Raiders (16-2, 3-0) blasted Troy, 64-48, in front of about 1,300.

“(Clark) was really moving well out there tonight,” said Sonora Coach Mike Murphy, who was buoyed by the birth of son Ryan Michael this week.

Present was Coach Stan Morrison of San Jose State, where Clark has signed to play next season. “He was very animated tonight,” Morrison said of Clark.

Helping out Clark were Chad Fister, with 15, and Josh Lein with 10.

Troy’s Jeff Sand led all scorers with 22, but he was the only Warrior who scored in double figures.

To win, Troy Coach T.J. Hardeman said, his team would need at least 10 possessions during the game “where we had 7-8-9 passes and then get the shot we want.”

But all the blueprints were shredded after Troy (11-8, 2-1) missed its first nine shots, getting its only basket--a three-pointer by Sand--with 55 seconds left.

By that time Sonora was in control. The Raiders opened the contest with a 13-0 run and then hid from Troy the rest of the game.

Just to make sure there were no notions of a second-half rally, Sonora blitzed the Warriors with a 9-0 outburst to begin the third quarter.

“I don’t know how many shots they missed in the first quarter but it wasn’t many,” Hardeman said. “Tough shots, easy shots--they made them all. And when you let a team make everything they shoot, you’re not going to beat them.

“At least I know we can’t play any worse.”

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In other league games:

Buena Park 54, Sunny Hills 41--Ruben Gasso scored a game-high 18 points for Buena Park (9-9, 1-2). Sean Granillo led Sunny Hills with 13 points.

Fullerton 73, La Habra 71--Seth La Tour scored the game-winning basket with five seconds remaining and Tim Vandenberg had 20 points for Fullerton (12-6, 3-0). Corey Holbert had 22 points for La Habra (7-11, 0-3).