Dana Hills finishes strong and tops El Modena 56-48 to reach finals

Ryan Ralph of Dana Hills is guarded by Emmit Humenik of El Modena Friday night. (Photo: Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone).

Dana Hills boys basketball team recovered from a second half comeback by El Modena to capture a 56-48 victory Friday in the semifinals of the Luis Macias Varsity Tournament at Santa Ana High School.

The Dolphins (3-0) will face Tustin Saturday at 1:30 p.m. in the championship game.

“We survived,” said Dana Hills Coach Tom Desiano. “We found a way. We got out running in the first half with a lot of transition baskets and then the second half was basically a half-court game and we didn’t execute.

“Give credit to them. They did a good job defensively and we just kind of gutted it out, really that’s all it is. We will take it and we get to play tomorrow.”

Dana Hills was led by Collin Haugh, who had 18 points and Griffin Haugh who had 15 points. El Modena (2-1) was led by Drew Rodriguez, who scored 16 points.

Dana Hills held a 34-23 lead at halftime before El Modena came charging back to tie the game 42-42 early in the fourth quarter. But the Dolphins finished strong to seal the victory.

El Modena will play Calvary Chapel in the third place game at noon.

Saturday’s schedule:

Bolsa Grande vs. Godinez at 8:10 a.m., La Quinta vs. Westminster, 9:20 a.m., Santa Ana vs. Santa Ana Valley, 10:40 a.m. , El Modena vs. Calvary Chapel (third place), noon; Dana Hills vs. Tustin (championship), 1:30 p.m.

—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com