BOYS’ BASKETBALL : ORANGE LEAGUE : Bodiford Helps Brea Olinda Beat Valencia, Capture Title

The Brea Olinda Wildcats made sure there would be no stumbling on Friday, no fumbling of the Orange League title that had been within their grasp the past two weeks. No crawling into the Southern Section playoffs.

No, the Wildcats defeated Valencia, 60-48, at Brea, claiming the 19th league boys’ basketball championship in school history, and their first outright title since 1986. Brea Olinda (18-8, 8-2) now is assured a No. 1 seeding Sunday, and an opening-round game at home next week.

Leading the way was guard Matt Bodiford with 24 points, followed by Madhav Boddula with 15. But just as important as the points, they said, was the inspiration that came before the game in a letter written by teammates Bryan Seaton and John Heridia urging Brea Olinda to forget about Wednesday’s disappointing loss to Western and move on.

“It was a gut check,” said Boddula, whose rebound and basket off a missed free throw by Eric Repp put the Wildcats back ahead, 55-42, with 2 minutes 54 seconds to play and pretty much sealed the victory. “They reminded us we were the best in the league and to play like it.

“To win the championship like this, especially after last season when we had to share it with Valencia, is just the most incredible feeling,” Bodiford said.

Despite the loss, Valencia (9-17, 6-4) was still in contention to earn one of the three automatic playoff berths from the league.

Brea Olinda came out roaring, particularly Bodiford, who hit four three-pointers and finished the quarter with 17 points as the Wildcats took a 25-6 lead.

“We really did win it in the first quarter,” Brea Olinda Coach Gene Lloyd said. “And all the credit goes to assistant Chris Emeterio; he devised the game plan on how to attack their zone defense. And the kids executed the way we wanted to.”

But the Tigers recovered from the early explosion and started finding the basket. Jermaine Gray used his quickness and bulk to score nine of Valencia’s 17 second-quarter points. Bodiford also cooled down, as did the rest of Brea Olinda; the Wildcats had only four baskets in the quarter.

Still, Brea had 16 minutes to defend a 37-23 halftime lead. And despite several lapses--such as not scoring a field goal in the fourth quarter until there was 2:57 left--the Wildcats never let the Tigers get any closer than seven points.

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In other Orange League games:

Magnolia 62, Anaheim 49--Josh Reding broke a Magnolia school record for most three-pointers in a season with 52. Reding hit five Friday night, finishing with 25 points. Magnolia finished 12-13, 4-6. Nate Amick scored 17 for Anaheim (1-22, 0-10).

Western 51, Savanna 31--Richard Mackie scored 16 points and Brett Vernon added 11 for host Western (12-13, 7-3), which held Savanna to 13 points in the first three quarters, then scored 29 points in the fourth quarter to pull away.

Brandon Warden scored 13 points for Savanna (15-10, 5-5).