SANTA ANA — Basketball is a game of runs, and the Laguna Hills and Godinez boys basketball teams each put together scoring streaks during their Golden West League game Thursday.
But the Hawks built double-digit leads with their runs, while the Grizzlies were playing catch-up for most of the game at Godinez High.
Having to come from behind ultimately took a toll on the Grizzlies and the Hawks were able to create separation in the final minutes and come away with a 77-67 victory.
Laguna Hills (10-9 overall, 4-0 league) and Godinez (18-5, 3-1) entered the contest as the only two undefeated teams in the Golden West League.
The Hawks are now alone in first place through the first round of league play.
“I was happy with our maturity at the end,” Hawks coach Sean Sargeant said. “The last three minutes to settle down and work the ball and get multiple touches and play on balance and not settle for the first thing that was open. So, I’m very proud of them. It’s just a step of maturity for them, which is huge.”
Sophomore Fletcher Freeman scored 12 of his game-leading 26 points in the first quarter to help the Hawks take a 10-point lead heading into the second quarter.
Freeman also hit four of the Hawks’ seven 3-pointers.
Senior Jackson Burnham scored 16 points and junior Myles Mittelsteadt finished with 14 points for the Hawks.
Junior Bryan Lopez scored 17 points to lead the Grizzlies.
“It was a good team win,” Freeman said. “I’m just happy that we moved the ball pretty well and definitely locked down on defense. We had some very key defensive stops.”
The Grizzlies opened the second quarter with a 12-2 run, which included 3-pointers on three consecutive possessions.
A basket and free throw from the Grizzlies’ Rafael Huizar tied the score at 23-23.
The Hawks responded with a 23-12 run to take an 11-point lead at the half.
Trailing by eight after three quarters, the Grizzlies fought back again and got within one possession with four minutes remaining.
From there, the Hawks started running the clock.
Burnham scored off an offensive rebound to put the Hawks ahead by five with 90 seconds left.
The Hawks made their free throws down the stretch and held the Grizzlies to four points over the final two minutes.
“It was just taking so much energy to get back to make it close,” Godinez coach Robert Morgan said. “And then it was like, here they come again, here they come again. So, they don’t fold. They’re a good team, they’re in good shape, they’re ready to run, and we just couldn’t quite get over the hump.”
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