PHOTOS: Santa Ana comes out ready and handles Saddleback in Orange Coast League game

Santa Ana Coach Fareed ElMasry meets with his players during a timeout Wednesday. (Photos: OC Sports Zone, TIm Burt).

Santa Ana High School’s boys basketball players knew they couldn’t take crosstown opponent Saddleback lightly Wednesday night in an Orange Coast League game.

The visiting Saints came out ready. They took charge a few minutes into the game and coasted to a 76-52 victory over the Roadrunners to solidify their CIF playoff hopes.

“They executed real well,” said Santa Ana Coach Fareed ElMasry. “This is a rivalry game and the boys came to play and they stuck to the game plan and that’s what got us the victory. We have a tremendous amount of respect for Saddleback, they have some dudes on the team and we take them seriously every time because it is a down Flower Street rivalry. We know they come to play against us.”

To see the slide show, click on the first picture:

Emmanuel Lemus of Santa Ana comes out after leading the Saints on a big run.

Xavier Valdovinos is guarded by Alejandro Mena of Saddleback.

Saddleback's Jacob Gomez is guarded by Deaven Perez of Santa Ana.

Santa Ana Coach Fareed ElMasry provides advice for Jack Rivera.

Saddleback Coach Chris Emaguna meets with his players at halftime.

Alejandro Mena of Saddleback is guarded by Xavier Valdovinos of Santa Ana.

Santa Ana (13-8, 5-2) was led by junior forward Emmanuel Lemus, who scored 22 points, 16 in the first half to help the Saints jump to a 48-17 halftime lead.

“He was coming off a struggling game against Orange and I think he was a little down,” ElMasry said. “I think he took that personally. Even though we had the victory against Orange, he wasn’t happy with himself so he really showed up today.”

Santa Ana also got a strong effort from senior Deaven Perez, who had 14 points and senior Ronnie Brewer, who scored 13 points.

Saddleback (4-17, 0-6) was led by senior guard Alejandro Mena, who had 17 points and made three 3-pointers. Senior Lesly Joseph had 13 points and senior Jonathan Argueta had 10 points for the Roadrunners.

Santa Ana, ranked No. 5 in the CIF 5AA division, is trying to finish league play strong as it battles for second place behind league leading Calvary Chapel, which is close to clinching the crown.

“Now we’re looking for a higher seed hopefully for the playoffs,” ElMasry said.

There was a solid turnout of fans from both Saddleback and Santa Ana in the Saddleback gym and all fans were required to wear masks. Those who didn’t have masks were provided them by Saddleback officials.

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