GARDEN GROVE LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Rancho Alamitos Wins Despite Losing Leading Scorer

GARDEN GROVE —  Despite playing without its leading scorer for more than three quarters, Rancho Alamitos defeated Pacifica, 61-55, in overtime Wednesday in a Garden Grove League boys’ basketball game.

The Vaqueros’ David Green, a 6-foot-3 senior, injured his thumb while blocking a shot and left the game early in the second quarter. Green, who was admitted to a Westminster hospital during the game, dislocated his left thumb, said his father, Al.

“Whenever you lose a person who averages close to 20 points and 13 rebounds a game, that’s some big shoes to fill,” said Vaqueros Coach Eric Hamamoto, who got 15 points from Paul Preuss. “But I have so much confidence in my bench.”

The victory kept Rancho Alamitos (18-4, 12-1) in a first-place tie with Kennedy with one regular-season game remaining.

Rancho Alamitos’ Tuan Pham made the biggest shot in overtime, hitting a three-point basket for a 55-52 lead. Playing without starting point guard Larry Nagata, who has an injured back, Pacifica (9-4, 11-10) committed four turnovers in overtime.

“We just had too many turnovers,” Pacifica Coach Rhett Heckel said. “We had them by the throat.”

In other Garden Grove League games:

Bolsa Grande 66, Santiago 54--Hinh Bui scored 27 points to lead the Matadors (8-12, 6-7) at Bolsa Grande. The Matadors led, 28-26, at halftime but outscored the Cavaliers, 16-6, in the third quarter to take control. Dinh Le scored 13 points for Bolsa Grande.

Kennedy 64, Garden Grove 55--Kennedy overcame a 27-25 halftime deficit by outscoring Garden Grove, 20-10, in the third quarter and remained in a tie with Rancho Alamitos for the league lead. Billy Williams scored nine points for Kennedy in the pivotal third quarter.

La Quinta 67, Los Amigos 62--La Quinta (2-19, 2-11) won its second consecutive game by outscoring Los Amigos, 32-16, in the fourth quarter and converting 18 of 21 free throws in the quarter. Los Amigos (1-19, 1-12) had one starter on the bench with an injury and three others fouled out with five minutes left to play.