Esperanza boys basketball team rallies and tops Murrieta Valley 57-55 in Tustin Classic game

Will Steinbeck of Esperanza drives to the basket during Friday’s game.

Esperanza’s boys basketball team rallied from a six-point halftime deficit to defeat Murrieta Valley 57-55 in a consolation round game at the Tustin Classic Friday evening.

To see the slide show, please click on the first photo

Tane Sedgewick of Esperanza advances the ball in Friday's game.

Esperanza's Trevor Geiger brings the ball up Friday night.

Esperanza Coach Mark Hill looks on during Friday's game.

Esperanza's Jason Francis controls the ball in Friday's game.

Tane Sedgewick of Esperanza takes a jumper Friday night.

Jason Francis of Esperanza battles for a rebound.

Esperanza (9-9) trailed 30-24 at halftime.

“We were getting hurt inside in the first half and a little into the third quarter we just went with our smaller line up and they did a great job of pressuring passes into the post and jump started our offense as we out scored them 20-13 in the third,” said Esperanza Coach Mark Hill.

Esperanza had four players score in double figures.

Jason Francis had 10 points, Will Steinbeck had 12 points and sophomore Cory Johnson had 13 points (all coming in the second half including three, 3-pointers).

“Senior point guard Tane Sedgewick played a great floor game tonight and led us in scoring with 14 points including a big three with 18 seconds to put us up four and we held on for the two-point game,” Hill said.

“This was a very good character building game for us as it was hard fought and we had to execute in critical moments both offensively and defensively.”