No. 6 Villa Park Smothers Orange, 58-39
The Villa Park boys’ basketball team looked very comfortable in Orange High’s claustrophobic gym Wednesday night, muffling the Panthers and a crowd of about 1,000 with a 58-39 Century League victory.
In taking sole possession of first place in the league, sixth-ranked Villa Park (13-4, 4-0) looked like a top-10 team, and very much like the Century team to catch.
The Spartans scorched Orange (14-4, 3-1) early and often from the outside, making 15 of their first 30 shots before ending up 19 for 40. Villa Park was particularly effective from three-point range, making six of 12 attempts.
The Spartans jumped to a 28-10 lead midway through the second quarter, and never let Orange get closer than 11 points thereafter. As the game wound down, Villa Park took its biggest lead, 56-33, before both teams cleared their benches with 1:28 left to play.
“After Monday’s game [a 71-56 loss to Woodbridge] all we heard was we were overrated, we weren’t that good,” Spartan Coach Kevin Reynolds said. “We wanted to come in tonight and make a statement, that we are a top-10 team.”
Panther Coach Rich Bossenmeyer doesn’t need any convincing about Villa Park’s worth.
“Tonight was a thorough beating,” Bossenmeyer said. “It was no one thing. They shot well, we didn’t (19 of 45).”
Spartan 7-1 center Eric Chenowith, who has lost 22 pounds the last three weeks because of flu and strep throat, finished with 12 points, 11 rebounds and three blocked shots.
In other Century League games:
Canyon 60, El Modena 57--Keith Bermeeren scored 10 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter to lead Canyon (10-9, 1-3). George Gurrola scored 18 for El Modena (9-10, 1-3).
Santa Ana Valley 72, Foothill 53--Seth Roblee had 12 rebounds and a game-high 23 points to lead Valley (10-9, 3-1). Tim Werdel had 19 points and seven rebounds for the Falcons.
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