Calvary Chapel’s Chandler Kim drives pasta Santa Ana’s Drew Ramirez. Kim scored 10 of his 16 points in the second half to help the Eagles earn the road victory.
In spite of having all the elements against them, the Calvary Chapel boys basketball team came from behind a halftime deficit only to defeat host Santa Ana 40-29 Friday night at the Court.
The Eagles (7-11, 2-2) trailed 20-16 at the half, but a big second half from Chandler Kim and Ethan Hanning led them to a 9-0 run in the third quarter and eventually put the game away in the fourth with clutch free throws when the game was on the line and earn a valuable Orange Coast League win on the road.
Kim, who finished the night with 16 points, scored 10 of them in the second half and iced the game from the charity stripe when the Saints made a late rally and brought the contest within three points when game was 32-29 with 54 seconds remaining in the game.
“We talked about it at halftime, it got a little chippy in the first half and we talked about the fact that composure was going to be the difference in this game,” said Calvary Chapel Coach Skyler Hood. “We pride ourselves on the defensive end and we worked hard on defense and I was pride of the ability we played defensively. They believed in themselves and they finished strong. Very proud on the way we competed. It’s fun to play against competitive teams that have the same passion.”
Hanning added 14 points to the Eagles cause and played tough defense while building up his team’s play on transitions.
The Saints (9-12, 2-2) on the other hand were led by Jesus and Saay Silva who scored 10 and 9 points, respectively, but were not able to hit the key shots for Santa Ana when the game was on the line.
The hosts shot 0-from-8 from the three-point arc in the second half and only scored two points in the third quarter, as they were outscored 11-2. There was a questionable technical foul that sparked both benches in that span.
“I think the turning point was that technical foul (in the third quarter) when we were up by one. They hit two free throws and it was hard to get the lead back and the momentum,” said Santa Ana coach Fareed ElMasry. “It motivated them even more and I think it got us emotionally and it affected us.”
In spite of a poor third quarter performance, Santa Ana did manage to get the game close on several occasions, but while Kim and Hanning were taking charge for Calvary Chapel, the hosts failed to cash in on free throws and missed layups that allowed the Eagles to pull away in the stretch.
Both teams are now tied for third place in OCL play with six league games to play for.
Up next for the Eagles is Estancia on the road next Wednesday night, while Santa Ana will play Costa Mesa at home. The Mustangs are the team predicted to win the Orange Coast League title.
— Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone
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