Etiwanda Edges Out Rancho Verde in Game Honoring Dave Kleckner
Etiwanda Advances to Championship Game with Narrow Victory over Rancho Verde
In a gripping semifinal clash at the North Orange County tournament held at Sonora on Friday night, Etiwanda showcased its defensive intensity in a hard-fought battle against Rancho Verde, ultimately securing a 63-57 victory.
Etiwanda established a commanding 12-point lead by halftime, but Rancho Verde responded in the third quarter, propelled by a buzzer-beater three-pointer from Charles Knight that shifted the momentum and gave Rancho Verde a narrow 43-42 lead heading into the final period.
However, Etiwanda regained its focus on defense in the fourth quarter, which proved pivotal in their victory. Sophomore Devin Mitchell played a crucial role, contributing six of his 14 points during this decisive stretch. Although Etiwanda struggled with foul trouble after halftime, allowing Rancho Verde’s Semaj Carter to score eight straight free throws, the Eagles regained control.
Carter ended the night with 19 points, while Knight’s performance included four three-pointers, leading to a total of 22 points. The win advances Etiwanda to the championship game against Heritage Christian on Saturday, maintaining their undefeated record at 12-0.
In a parallel semifinal, Heritage Christian edged Anaheim Canyon 45-42. Dominic Loehle’s last-minute basket broke a tie and propelled Heritage Christian to victory, with Loehle finishing the game with 16 points.
In other tournament action, Santa Margarita triumphed over Village Christian 92-85. Brayden Kyman led Santa Margarita with 24 points, while Village Christian’s freshman standout Will Conroy scored 26 points in a valiant effort.
Additional scores from the night included Crespi’s 79-72 win over Brooklyn’s Eagle Academy II, driven by Cayman Martin’s double-double (17 points, 10 rebounds), and St. Francis defeating La Salle 68-54, where Cherif Millogo had an impressive 27 points, 15 rebounds, and seven blocks.
The tournament showcased competitive matchups across various schools, emphasizing not only individual talents but also strategic coaching. The upcoming championship promises to be an exciting culmination of the tournament experience.
