Santa Ana Valley Rallies, but Can’t Overtake Gahr

In a game dominated by turnovers, Gahr High School built a small lead over Santa Ana Valley and then held on for a 84-79 victory Wednesday in the first round of the Division 5-A Southern Section playoffs.

Before a sparse crowd at Gahr, Santa Ana Valley (12-12) fell behind by nine points, 44-35, at halftime and then pulled to within two points late in the third quarter.

But Gahr (17-8), which committed 21 turnovers, built an 11-point lead midway through the fourth quarter.

The Falcons came back again, pulling within 80-76 with 1:10 left. But a layup by Rod Summers and two free throws by Mark Charbonnet put the game away.

Santa Ana Valley, which committed 18 turnovers, was led by Bryan Singleton with 25 points and Chuck Steen with 23 points. Eddie Martinez scored 20 points to lead Gahr, which will play at Irvine Friday.

Ocean View 56, Dana Hills 52--Ted Pelonis scored the final five points as the Seahawks (18-8) held a second-half rally at Ocean View.

Pelonis hit two free throws with 22 seconds left in the game to clinch the victory after Dana Hills pulled within two, 54-52. Pelonis finished with 15 points.

Mike Fedden scored 10 of his 18 points in the third quarter as Dana Hills cut a 30-22 halftime deficit to 42-39.

Dana Hills (15-14) outscored Ocean View, 6-2, at the start of the fourth quarter to take a 45-44 lead. But Todd Norman, who had 21 points, hit two free throws to give Ocean View the lead for good, 46-45, with 5:14 left.