Ocean View Takes Time to Knock Off Santa Ana

It seemed a rather odd time for a time out, but there was Ocean View Coach Jim Harris signaling for one with 11 seconds left in the first quarter Friday night, his team ahead by five and in possession of the ball.

What happened next set the tone for the remainder of the game. Harris huddled with his team, gave them what could best be described as an old-fashioned pep talk, and Ocean View responded with a 64-43 Golden West League victory over visiting Santa Ana in a game that had playoff ramifications for both teams.

“Huge” was the way Harris described the victory, which pulled the Seahawks (11-14, 4-4 in league) even with the Saints, Westminster and Servite. Barring a total collapse next week, Ocean View more than likely is on its way to the Southern Section Division II-A playoffs.

Mike Sequin and David Hatch had 13 points, Erik Peterson had 12 and Jason Martini 10 for Ocean View. Martini had seven rebounds, Hatch six and Peterson five and the Seahawks held a 30-18 rebounding advantage.

Ralph Jordan and Danny Rivero each scored 14 points for Santa Ana, which made only 16 of 46 shots from the field. The Saints committed 21 turnovers.

Harris’ timeout was intended to blunt a Santa Ana comeback. The Saints had run off seven in a row after Ocean View jumped out to a 14-2 lead.

“When you are as young as we are, you need to stop the momentum of the other team,” Harris said. “One mistake quickly becomes two mistakes and three mistakes. We had to get the kids back into their game.”

The tactic worked. Marvin Marquez made a three-pointer with a second left in the quarter and the Seahawks were never in trouble again. They dominated the second quarter outscoring Santa Ana, 13-4.

Harris used his timeouts throughout the game in the same manner. In the teams’ first league game, Ocean View blew an 11-point lead in the final three minutes and lost at Santa Ana, 52-48. He would have none of that Friday.

The Saints (12-10, 4-4), meanwhile, are tumbling.

“We’re not the same team as we were,” Coach Ken Walker said. “We’re not shooting the ball well and we’re not making the defensive plays.”

Walker said the 80-60 loss at first-place Tustin last month was a turning point in what had been a good season.. The Saints went into the game confident after beginning league play with three straight wins. Santa Ana’s 12 victories, however, probably are good enough for a Division I-A playoff berth.

In other Golden West League games:

Servite 81, Saddleback 62--Sean Rawson scored 17 points, Peter Martinelli had 15 points and 10 assists and Lance Day had 14 points and 10 rebounds for Servite (12-11, 4-4).

Tustin 76, Westminster 52--Robert Griffin scored 21 points for host Tustin (21-3, 8-0), ranked second in the county. The Tillers only led by three points at halftime but outscored the Lions (9-14, 4-4), 53-32, in the second half. Scott Yoshizaki scored 26 points for Westminster.