Saddleback Takes on Fullerton with Title on the Line
First place is up for grabs as Saddleback hosts Fullerton tonight in men's basketball.
Two heavy weight teams will battle it out tonight for at least a share of the Orange Empire Conference title. In one corner, a young and determined Fullerton College team (21-5, 9-1) is looking to make their mark. In the other corner, the undisputed state champion Saddleback College (25-1, 10-0), a very skilled veteran team hungry for a back-to-back conference and state title.
The Hornets come into the game ranked #9 in state and trail Saddleback by one game in the OEC. A win tonight would give the Hornets a possible share of the Orange Empire Conference title, which they have not won since the 2008-09 season.
Undefeated in the OEC, Saddleback has been cruising past most of its competitors and has been deemed the #1 team in the state for most of the season. The Gauchos are looking to secure their fifth consecutive Orange Empire Conference title and already own at least a share of it; a win over Fullerton would more than likely be theirs alone.
The Gauchos and Hornets have played each other twice this season with Saddleback getting the better of Fullerton…by a few points. FC lost the first time 65-60 and the second time by only two points 56-54. Both teams match up very similar with quickness, size, and range.
This game is layered with backstory as first-year Hornet Head Coach Perry Webster once played under Saddleback Head Coach Andy Ground, helping the Gauchos win a state championship in 2010. After playing at Cal State Fullerton, Webster then went on to become an assistant coach under Ground where he helped Saddleback win a state title last season.