COMMUNITY COLLEGE MEN’S BASKETBALL : Johnson Gets to Gym, Sets State Record

It’s hard to tell which took more out of Cypress Coach Don Johnson, the record-setting victory or the drive to the Fullerton College gym from his home in Laguna Hills.

Johnson’s team beat Fullerton, 75-71, in a taut Orange Empire Conference game Friday night at Fullerton.

With the victory, Johnson (564-325) becomes the winningest community college men’s basketball coach in the state’s history.

“It’s hard to put anything into perspective at the particular moment,” Johnson said while his staff, players, family members and friends lined up to congratulate him. “But this was nice, especially when the Fullerton kids came over.”

Johnson is no stranger to Fullerton; he played for the Hornets in 1949-50 before attending UCLA, where he was an All-American for John Wooden in 1952.

Johnson spent a big part of his early evening getting to Fullerton.

“Laguna Canyon Road was flooded so I tried the freeway, but it was bumper-to-bumper,” Johnson said. “So then I got off at Brookhurst and it seemed like a thousand lights and a thousand miles but I got here.”

Johnson surpassed former Merced Coach Don Reid with the victory, which appeared well in hand until Fullerton’s late rally.

The score was tied, 35-35, at the break but Cypress got some momentum early in the second half and Anthony Livingston made a three-pointer to give Cypress (17-4, 2-0 in conference) a 61-50 lead with seven minutes 23 seconds left.

The lead grew to 67-54 when Brett Evans made two free throws with 5:07 left.

But Fullerton rushed right back on consecutive three-point baskets by Greg Williams and Bobby Natoya.

The Hornets (11-9, 0-2) then cut the lead to, 67-63, on a three-point play by Tamar Ross with 3:18 left.

Out of timeouts, Cypress’ Evans made a three-pointer from the corner to give the Chargers a 73-67 lead with about three minutes left.

Fullerton got to within 71-68 when Eddie Cochran made the front end of a one-and-one with 39 seconds left.

But Cochran missed the second attempt and Cypress’ Jim Falletta got the rebound, only to be tied up. Fullerton got the ball on the alternating possession, but turned it over on the inbound play.

Robbie Shelton made three free throws in the final 32 seconds to secure the victory for Cypress.

Shelton, a sophomore forward, had 14 points and 10 rebounds. Teammate Brian Hakala had 18 points, Livingston 16 and Evans 15.

Cochran had 19--16 in the first half. Kevin Carlson 14 for Fullerton.

Williams scored 13, all in the second half, for Fullerton.

In other Orange Empire Conference games:

Irvine Valley 106, Golden West 104--Clutch free throws by Luis Angel and Dan Bathey helped Irvine Valley (10-8, 1-1) defeat Golden West (7-12, 0-2). Chris Kostoff of Irvine Valley scored 29 points, including eight three-pointers. Dave Dunham scored 26 for Golden West.

Orange Coast 66, Saddleback 65--Jeff Porter scored 21 points and Todd Loewe added 12 to help Orange Coast (4-12, 1-1) to the upset. Antoine Jefferson led Saddleback (13-6, 1-1) with 27 points and 16 rebounds.

Rancho Santiago 107, Riverside 105--Beau Hossler’s 15-footer with five seconds remaining gave the Dons (13-6, 2-0) the victory. Fred Amos had 24 points and Ruben Oronoz added 17 for Rancho Santiago. Loudon Williams scored 34 for Riverside (15-6, 1-1).