Calvary Chapel Overwhelms Heralds, 78-50

Calvary Chapel, which has won three consecutive league titles, took another step toward a fourth by posting a resounding victory over Whittier Christian, 78-50, in an Olympic League boys’ basketball game Friday at Calvary Chapel.

Senior Joe Ortiz had 20 points and seven assists and junior Brett Young added 19 points for Calvary Chapel, which took an 18-4 lead in the first four minutes and never looked back.

Whittier Christian, ranked 10th in the Southern Section Division IV-A, made only 15 of 44 (34%) from the field and struggled throughout the game against a quick and aggressive Calvary Chapel defense. The Heralds (11-8, 2-1 in league) committed 17 turnovers, seven coming in the first quarter.

Calvary Chapel (13-6, 3-0), unranked in Division IV-AA, limited Whittier Christian’s forward Jon Stoa to 13 points, 12 fewer than his average. Stoa, a 6-foot-4 junior, made only three of 14 from the field.

“We needed to be aware of where he was all the time,” Calvary Chapel Coach Craig Falconer said. “I’m very happy to see we held him to three baskets.”

Calvary Chapel senior guard Jake Fabozzi made three baskets in the first quarter. He finished with 15 points, making three of five from three-point range in the first half.

Fabozzi’s opportunistic shooting characterized the game for the Eagles, who made seven of 16 three-pointers in the first three quarters.

Ortiz, a senior who has committed to Westmont, made nine of 12 shots from the field and frequently found his teammates for open shots when Whittier Christian’s defense collapsed on him.

“This is not the most talented team we’ve had here,” said Falconer, who helped Calvary Chapel reach the section and Southern California regional finals last season. “But this is an unselfish team. Everyone accepts their roles.”

In another Olympic League game:

Orange Lutheran 55, Cerritos Valley Christian 54--Valley Christian had the ball with 12 seconds remaining, but Orange Lutheran’s Jason Whieldon stole the ball at the buzzer to preserve the victory.

Matt Erickson scored 25 of 33 points in the first half for Orange Lutheran (9-7, 3-0), which led, 42-25, at halftime. Jeff Kerns added 10 points for the Lancers.