wednesday orange 1-21

SoCal High School & Prep Report

Wednesday's Orange County Action--(January 23, 1998)

There were so many games played this past Wednesday, that we're compelled to only feature some highlights and scores. . . given the press of time, we just can't give you the kind of detail that we'd like to for the Wednesday Orange County action. So here are the highlights and scores. As you'll see, Katella Century both won, and are now tied for the Empire League title at 3-1; Newport Harbor and Santa Margarita, the No. 1 team in Orange County and ranked No. 9 in the State of California by Cal Hi Sports, both won in Seaview League action, while Magnolia and Brea Olinda just keep on winning. . . well, at least Brea Olinda is now back after losing last week in what some considered an upset to Magnolia. And Villa Park and Cypress also managed to pull off wins. Here are the reports:

EMPIRE LEAGUE

Katella 57, Century 55

As the Orange County Register noted, Katella needed a victory badly, "for the standings and for its confidence." The Knights' loss to Loara last week kept them out of first in the Empire League and dropped them from the Orange County Top 10. After starting the season 15-0, Katella was 2-2 the past two weeks, but with the win on Wednesday, Katella got what it needed, beating Century, 57-55, on a last-second reverse layup by Robert Abercrombie. The Knights and Century are tied for first with 3-1 league records. Katella, which had been ranked as high as sixth in Orange County but is unranked this week, is 18-2 overall. Century, No. 5 in the county, is 16-4 overall. When Century's Hardy Fatu made a three-pointer midway through the fourth quarter, the Centurions had a six-point lead, 51-45, their largest margin since being up by six at halftime.

After Fatu's basket, Mike Zepeda, a 6-foot-9 junior who is among the county's rebounding leaders at 11 a game, fouled out. Katella's 6-6 junior Don Carey then worked the inside for a pair of baskets and it was 51-49. Abercrombie, who scored a game-high 22 points, nailed a leaning 17-foot jumper to tie the score and put the Knights in front with just under two minutes left on a 10-footer at the baseline.

Century's Terrail Zoller made two free throws to tie it, 53-53, with 1:07 remaining, but Carey scored from in close again to regain the lead for Katella. Another pair of free throws by Zoller (team-high 21 points) tied it again, 55-55, with 38 seconds left. Katella then worked patiently for a good shot, and Abercrombie scooted past two defenders along the baseline for an uncontested reverse layup with five seconds remaining. Zoller's desperation 30-footer was short.

"This is the way we have to play" Katella coach Tom Danley told the Orange County Register. "We haven't been playing as consistently well as we're capable of playing."

Cypress 58, Loara 54

Trent Weaver scored 19 points, including four free throws towards the end of the game to seal the victory for the host Centurions, who are now 7-5 on the season and 2-2 in league. Travis Weaver added 14 points for Cypress.

SEAVIEW LEAGUE

Newport Harbor 74, Woodbridge 73

Gary Robinson's two free throws with less than a minute to play sealed the victory for the host Sailors, who improved to 13-7 overall and 2-2 in league play. Robinson finished with 26 points.

Santa Margarita 63, Corona del Mar 32

T.J Williams scored 13 points to lead the top-ranked Eagles, who are now 19-0 on the season and perfect in league at 4-0. The loss drops the Sea Kings to 5-13 on the year and 1-3 in league.

PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE

Laguna Beach 61, Estancia 50

Nick Reynolds scored a game-high 18 points to lead the Artists to victory. Teammate Kurt Beimfohr added 15 points for visting Laguna Beach (3-1 in league). Sam Nelson paced Estancia (14-6, 3-1) with 18 points.

Laguna Hills 82, Costa Mesa 42

The Hawks took a 43-18 halftime lead and never looked back. Saia Makakaufaki led Laguna Hills (15-5, 2-2) with 10 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.

CENTURY LEAGUE

Vila Park 79, Foothill 50

Alex Verzani scored 30 points, grabbed 13 rebounds and dished out five assists for Villa Park (4-0).

Santa Ana Valley 64, Orange 50

Eliu Fato scored 16 points to lead the host Falcons (6-12, 2-2). Koa Bartlett helped with 14 points. Javier Castrejon paced
the Panthers with 13 points.

ORANGE LEAGUE

Magnolia 75, Anaheim 61

Zamiro Bennem, Asi Faoa and Anthony Zaragoza combined for 57 points for the 10th-ranked Sentinels (16-3, 3-0). Bennem, who led all scorers with 24, also had eight assists. Faoa had 17 points and 11 rebounds and Zaragoza
had 16 points and 11 rebounds. Tru Nyguen led the Colonists (7-10, 0-3) with 23 points.

Brea Olinda 82, Valencia 64

Chris McMillian scored 31 points to lead the Wildcats (16-3, 2-1), ranked No. 4 in the county, past the Tigers (7-12, 1-2). Kyle Dodd added 17 for Brea Olinda. Rich Reynoza and Danny Ortega each scored 18 for
Valencia.