Crean Lutheran players and coaches thankful for cheers, support from Blue Zone

Members of the Blue Zone cheer on the Saints Saturday in the CIF finals at Toyota Arena. (Photos courtesy Crean Lutheran Shutterbugs, John Luciano).

Crean Lutheran boys basketball players got a big lift from a familiar group Tuesday night in the opening round of the CIF State So Cal Division I Regional playoffs Tuesday night.

The school’s Blue Zone, a loyal, enthusiastic group of students, was among those who packed the Crean Lutheran gymnasium for the game. The Blue Zone was also there in force Saturday at Toyota Arena when the Saints captured the CIF Division 1 championship with a victory over JSerra.

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

Crean Lutheran's Blue Zone cheers on the Saints Tuesday.

The Crean Lutheran Blue Zone erupts during a big play.

Crean Lutheran Blue Zone's support began at the school's annual Midnight Madness game.

Crean Lutheran students support the Saints on Senior Night.

Crean Lutheran's Blue Zone cheers on the Saints at the CIF finals game vs. JSerra at Toyota Arena.

Blue Zone members support the Saints during a game with Canyon.

Coach Austin Loeb thanked the Blue Zone and all the fans who turned out Tuesday, adding their support all season, home and away, has helped the Saints in their championship run.

“I think it gave us a big edge and fueled our run and made it a really fun environment for us,” Loeb said. “I’m just super thankful for their support, and I know our boys are too.”

Tuesday, Crean Lutheran fell behind early against Santa Fe Christian, battled back in the second half and sealed a 68-56 victory to advance into round two Thursday night on the road vs. No.-2 seeded Centennial. The No. 7-seeded Saints are hoping to advance into the semifinals Saturday night.

The Blue Zone, regarded as one of the best student groups in the county, stood for the whole game, was really loud and supportive as it has been many times this season.

“It’s super exciting, shout out to the Blue Zone,” junior guard Hunter Caplan said after the game. “I said earlier after our CIF championship game we have the best support community, we really do. The Blue Zone came through today and once I made that first one (a three-pointer) I heard them cheering and I was able to find my rhythm and I thrive off of that.

“They were a game changer, if we don’t have them, I don’t know if we win it. We thrive off energy, so just hearing them in the crowd got us going and it felt good.”

Senior guard Nick Giarrusso also appreciated the Blue Zone’s support.

“The Blue Zone was amazing,” he said after Tuesday’s win. “I hope this wasn’t our last home game of the year, but if it is, that was a great crowd to have.”

The winner of Thursday’s game in Corona meets the winner of the game between No. 6 Damien and No. 3 Crespi in the semifinals on Saturday. The higher seeded team earns the home games through the regional.

The regional final is Tuesday, March 10.

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