PHOTOS: Garden Grove’s magical run comes to an end with loss in regional opener

Miguel Ortega of Garden Grove battles for control of a loose ball with No. 20 Bryce Ussery of LACES. (Photos courtesy Mark Bausman, For OC Sports Zone).

A magical season for Garden Grove High School’s boys basketball team ended Tuesday night in the opening round of the CIF Southern California Regional Division IV playoffs.

No. 10 seeded Los Angeles CES upset No. 7 Garden Grove 54-39 in front of a big crowd at Garden Grove. Friday night, the Argonauts captured their first CIF title, defeating Fullerton 54-50.

Tuesday night, the visitors built a 30-13 lead at halftime and although Garden Grove battled back in the second half, cutting the lead to nine, the Argonauts were unable to complete the comeback.

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

Garden Grove's Landon Mendoza puts pressure on Bryce Ussery of Los Angeles CES.

Miguel Ortega of Garden goes in to block a shot taken by Cody Yamaki of LACES.

Garden Grove's Allen Abarca puts up a shot over Aiden Owen of LACES.

Garden Grove's Vidal Jimenez keeps control under pressure.

Garden Grove's Ivan Ortega defends against Jude Ocanes.

The Ortega brothers, Miguel and Ivan put pressure on No. 20 Bryce Ussery.

Garden Grove's Ivan Ortega trys to drive past No. 22 Aiden Owen

Cody Yamaki guards Garden Grove's Ivan Ortega.

Garden Grove's Vidal Jimenez shoots a 3-point shot while coach Brian Girard and fans look on.

Garden Grove's Jeremiah Scott drives to the basket.

Freshman Drue Anzai sinks a 3-point shot for Garden Grove.

Head Coach David Trujeque celebrates the victory with his Los Angeles CES team.

Miguel Ortega scored 17 points, Vidal Jimenez had nine points and Ivan Ortega eight points to lead Garden Grove (22-9). Los Angeles CES (19-13) was led by Cody Yamaki, who scored 19 points and Donovan Cornelius, who had 14 points.

“We had a rough start and we’ve been a team that if we can keep it close, we give ourselves a chance to win at the end because of our defense but they got out to a little bit too much of a lead and we fought back hard, but it was a little too much,” Coach Brian Girard said in a phone interview Tuesday night. “They were a fantastic team, the point guard was just amazing and they played very well.”

But Girard told his players he was proud of their effort and what they accomplished.

“This was a dream season to go into league almost close to a .500 team and win and challenge in the Golden West League and then make the run that we did it was amazing,” he said.

“We talked about a minute about the game but I told them more importantly that sometimes life is hard and we got to take what we learn from successses and failures and learn from them and try and make good choices and work hard. This is a group of winners and I wanted to make sure they understood that.”

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