Orange Reaches Tournament Final With 48-34 Win

Orange led from start to finish to defeat Huntington Beach, 48-34, in the semifinals of the Orange Holiday boys’ basketball tournament Saturday night at Chapman University.

Orange will face Ocean View for the title at 8:30 p.m. Monday.

Juan Dotson’s four points and Gerald Morel’s basket gave the Panthers a 6-0 lead and Orange expanded it to 17-10 at the end of the first quarter.

“Our assistants scouted them well and we knew who to defend tight,” Orange Coach Richard Bossenmeyer said.

The Panther defense limited the Oilers to one successful field goal in nine tries in the second quarter and two of nine in the third as the Panthers coasted to a 36-18 lead.

“We won’t out-muscle too many teams so we have to do our best to limit our opponents to one shot each time down the floor,” Bossenmeyer said.

Orange (11-1) used a patient offense to work for the open shot, hitting eight of 16 in the first quarter.

The patient offense and disciplined defense also kept trips to the free-throw line down; only five fouls were called in the first half. The first free-throw attempt of the game came with 5 minutes 16 seconds left in the third quarter.

Brian Krauss paced Orange with 13 points. Dotson scored 11 points and Morel had 10.

Chris Basich had 10 points for Huntington Beach (9-3).