Falcons Take Early Exit, 77-65

FOUNTAIN VALLEY — There is no good time to have to play Lakewood Artesia High, the top seed and favorite to win the Division I-AA boys’ basketball championship.

But Fountain Valley, thanks to a 77-65 wild-card victory against Crescenta Valley on Wednesday, will get first crack.

Crescenta Valley’s season ends at 16-11.

The Barons (15-11) took advantage of their superior height, outrebounding Crescenta Valley, 31-21. Even though the full-court Falcon pressure caused 16 turnovers, the Barons still shot 55% from the field. The night began ominously for Crescenta Valley when their best player, Christ Shakhmalian, sprained his left ankle after making the game’s first basket. He did not return.

“To lose your top scorer on the game’s first play, it made things very tough,” Falcon Coach Jim Smiley said.

It got worse. After a relatively even first quarter--Fountain Valley led 17-16--Crescenta Valley was hurt with a four-minute span of turnovers and ill-advised shots. Fountain Valley erupted for a 19-5 run to lead, 36-22.

Smiley gave the brunt of the blame to his guards, who hurriedly threw away passes or forced up three-pointers.

“Our guard play has been a strength this season but tonight it was subpar,” he said.