Big home crowd inspires Saddleback girls basketball team in 52-33 Orange Coast League victory over Estancia

Saddleback’s girls basketball team poses for a picture after Friday’s victory.

Saddleback High’s girls basketball team, inspired by a large and enthusiastic home crowd, used a strong fourth quarter run to defeat Estancia 52-33 Friday night in an Orange Coast League game at Saddleback.

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

Saddleback players go through warm-ups before Friday's game.

Estancia's Leslie Escorcia looks to pass off during Friday's game.

Saddleback basketball fans have some fun Friday night cheering on the Roadrunners.

Estancia's Queen Ceruti (No. 22) and a teammate get some instructions Friday night.

Head coach Al Martinez (green jacket) and assistant coaches Dan Lara and Ros Turner give instructions to the Roadrunners Friday night.

The victory helped the Roadrunners (11-9, 3-2) move into third place. But they have their sights set on a higher goal.

“We have a shot for the league title,” said Saddleback Coach Al Martinez. “We need a little help from Santa Ana and we have to run the table and beat everybody.”

Saddleback led 31-19 at halftime but Estancia stayed within striking distance and trailed 38-29 after three quarters.

But Saddleback went on a 14-2 run at the start of the final stanza to seal the victory.

“I think we outhustled them,” said Martinez, who leads the team along with assistant coaches Dan Lara and Ros Turner. “We made the shots that had to be made. Our best player didn’t have her game but some of the other girls picked up and that was probably the difference.”

Saddleback was led by junior Maria Martinez and freshman Karime Lopez, who each had 13 points. Freshman Kayleen Palomino added eight points, seven in the fourth quarter, for Saddleback.

Estancia (8-12, 2-3) was led by Queen Ceruti (eight points) and Leslie Escorcia (seven points).

“We all played together offensively.,” Martinez said. “Defensively we still need to work a little on that. But I was happy with the performance. We all hustled.”

The Roadrunners gave their home fans plenty to cheer about.

“That’s the first time since I’ve been here that there’s been that much excitement,” Martinez said. “And I know that made a big difference.

“It was an Adidas statement night. Adidas is sponsoring us so they came down and gave out free gear and they had music and pizza.”

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