PHOTOS: Foothill takes control early and defeats Tustin in crosstown battle

Foothill sophomore Travis Paleo drives to the lane as he is heavily guarded by Tustin’s Osten Achmad during the first quarter of Friday’s game. (Photos; Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone).

Foothill High School’s boys basketball team used an early 9-0 run and surged to a 50-34 non-league victory over Tustin Friday night in a battle of the crosstown rivals in front of a big crowd at Tustin.

“Great atmosphere for both teams to play in yearly,” said Foothill Coach Yousof Etemadi. “It’s always a tough, grind it out game and we’ve been fortunate to come out on top the last couple of years. We have a committed, young group of players that are learnig and working hard to get better each day and each game.”

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

Foothill's Carlo Billings takes the court for the Knights on Friday night.

Tustin's Eli Nyeazi warms up before Friday night's contest against Foothill.

Tustin players, led by Ethan Contreras (center) rally before Friday night's contest.

Tustin's Carson Jue moves the ball up the court on Friday Night.

Foothill's head coach Yousof Etemadi talks with game officials during a second quarter timeout.

Tustin's Ethan Contreras drives up the court during the second quarter of the game against Foothill.

Tustin head coach Ringo Bossenmeyer encourages his players on Friday night.

Tustin's Ben Ngo steps up his defense during the second quarter of the game against Foothill.

Tustin's Ethan Contreras dribbles the ball up the court.

Foothill's head coach Yousof Etemadi looks on during the first half of the game against Tustin.

Tustin's point guard Ben Ngo passes the ball during the first quarter of the game against Foothill as the Knights' Marco Manzi defends.

Foothills Marco Manzi moves the ball up the court during the first quarter of the game against Tustin on Friday night.

Foothill's Travis Paleo drives to the basket during the first quarter of the game against Tustin.

Foothill's Isaiah Bernard drives the ball up the court on Friday night.

Foothill's Carlo Billings drives up the court as Tustin's Eli Nyeazi defends.

Foothill's Travis Paleo drives to the basket during the first quarter of the game against Tustin.

Foothill's Carlo Billings and Tustin's Ben Ngo battle for possession.

A substantial amount of Foothill fans filled the stands of The Barn in Tustin High on Friday Night.

Foothill players gather before Friday night's contest against Tustin.

Foothill's student section gets ready to support the Knights on the road on Friday night.

Tustin Tiller fans prepare to cheer for their team on Friday night.

Tustin's Blake Kissinger prepares to take a shot during the second quarter of the game against Foothill.

Tustin's Ethan Contreras drives up the court for the Tillers as Casey Kendall defends for the Foothill Knights.

Foothill Knights cheerleaders support their team on Friday night.

Travis Paleo scored 12 points, Marco Manzi had 10 points and Isaiah Bernard scored nine points, grabbed eight rebounds and had two blocks to lead Foothill (9-1).

Tustin (7-4) was led by Eli Nyeazi with nine points and Ethan Contreras with eight points.

Foothill led 15-6 after one quarter and held a 22-12 halftime lead.