BOYS’ BASKETBALL ROUNDUP : Brea Olinda Takes Step Toward Title

Now it’s the Orange League that Gene Lloyd remembers. Brea Olinda on top and everyone else in pursuit.

The Wildcats extended that scenario Wednesday at Savanna with a 51-45 victory over the Rebels. The victory also moved the Wildcats a little closer to familiar territory--the league championship.

At least it would be for Lloyd, who won seven titles in 12 seasons before stepping down in 1986. He returned last year and suffered through a 6-19 season, as the Wildcats finished last for the second consecutive year.

But those days are behind them, for the moment anyway.

“We’re not counting anything yet,” said Lloyd, who is 255-119 in his two stints with the Wildcats. “We have three tough games ahead of us. But the nice thing is we are the only team that controls its own destiny.”

The Wildcats (16-7, 6-1) outlasted a physical Savanna team to maintain that control. Brea Olinda made 16 of 18 free throws in the final five minutes to hold on. Matt Bodiford made five of six in the final 50 seconds to clinch a game that appeared to belong to the Wildcats from the start.

Brea Olinda’s in-your-face defense held Savanna (14-8, 4-3) scoreless in the first quarter. The Rebels’ deliberate offense had much to do with its lack of offense. They trailed, 9-1, two minutes into the second quarter and didn’t score their first field goal until Brandon Wardon hit a turnaround shot with 4 minutes 10 seconds left in the half.

But the Wildcats did not press that advantage and led, 21-15, at the half. Savanna had one-point leads twice in the third quarter.

Sean Wink and Jason Van Houten opened the fourth quarter with back-to-back baskets, giving the Wildcats a 35-29 lead. David Draghinas kept Savanna close, scoring his 11 points in the fourth quarter. His layup with three minutes left cut the Wildcats’ lead to 41-40.

Brea Olinda then made its free throws to put Lloyd on familiar ground.