News Summary
In a closely contested CIF Division 5A semifinal, the Saddleback High School boys basketball team lost to Arroyo 60-58, ending their championship aspirations. Despite leading at halftime and having a chance to win late in the game, missed opportunities plagued Saddleback as Arroyo secured a victory with a last-second shot. Coach Chris Emaguna praised the team’s turnaround from previous seasons, highlighting the players’ efforts and the vibrant atmosphere at the match. With a current record of 14-14, Saddleback looks to regroup for upcoming tournaments.
Santa Ana, CA – The Saddleback High School boys basketball team faced Arroyo in a thrilling CIF Division 5A semifinal match on Friday night, ultimately falling short with a 60-58 loss that ended their championship hopes. The game, played at Saddleback High School, concluded dramatically with a buzzer-beater shot by Arroyo’s Kamren Dorantes.
Saddleback, seeded fourth in the tournament, was vying to reach the CIF finals for only the second time in the school’s history. Their last championship appearance was in 1989, where they lost to Long Beach Millikan in the CIF 5AA title game. The match showcased an intense back-and-forth competition, with Saddleback leading 33-29 at halftime and maintaining a slight advantage at 41-34 early in the third quarter.
Despite having a chance for victory with just 19.2 seconds remaining, Saddleback missed two critical shots that could have changed the outcome. The game’s turning point came late in the fourth quarter, when after a series of missed opportunities by Saddleback, Arroyo regained possession and converted their final shot into a game-winning basket. This moment sealed the win for Arroyo, allowing them to advance to the CIF finals for the first time in school history against Rosemead.
Chris Trotter emerged as the top scorer for Saddleback, contributing 29 points to his team’s effort, while Angel Soberanis added 17 points. Saddleback’s overall season record now stands at 14-14 following this defeat. Coach Chris Emaguna expressed his pride in the players reaching the semifinal stage, highlighting the significant turnaround from their tumultuous 2-26 record just two seasons ago.
The loss also underscored some of the challenges Saddleback faced during the game. Players recognized that crucial mistakes and a failure to box out contributed to their defeat. Rebounding issues were particularly pointed out, as Arroyo’s defense proved formidable throughout the match. In contrast, Arroyo’s scoring was well-distributed, with Johnny Vargas leading the team with 15 points, followed closely by Dorantes with 14 points and Noe Magana scoring 12 points.
Looking ahead, the Roadrunners are set to qualify for the CIF Regional tournament scheduled to begin the week following the CIF finals. Saddleback had an impressive playoff run this season, having achieved three playoff victories, including a dramatic double-overtime win over Gabrielino. The team’s journey, though ending in a disappointing semifinal loss, reflects a strong comeback from earlier struggles.
The atmosphere during the game was electric, with a near-capacity crowd of fans from both Saddleback and Arroyo passionately supporting their teams. The defeat, while heartbreaking for Saddleback, marks an important moment in the team’s history as they look to build on their recent successes in future competitions.
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Additional Resources
- OC Sports Zone: Saddleback Enjoys Big Turnaround
- Wikipedia: CIF Southern Section
- OC Register: Saddleback Boys Basketball Falls
- Google Search: Saddleback Boys Basketball
- OC Sports Zone: Arroyo Stuns Saddleback
- Google Scholar: California High School Basketball
- OC Sports Zone: CIF Boys Basketball Playoff Schedule
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Basketball
- OC Sports Zone: CIF Boys Basketball Playoff Final Scores
- Google News: CIF Boys Basketball
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