Trojan warriors earn title try

The last time Orland High went to the section championships in basketball, most players on this year's squad had not yet picked up a basketball. The year was 1995.

With Wednesday's 48-47 home win over Central Valley, not only have the Trojans picked up the ball, but they've run with it all the way to Saturday's Division IV title tilt against Sutter - last year's champion.

The road to Saturday's game in Acker Gym at California State University, Chico began bumpy for the Trojans, who fell behind by as many as nine points in the first half. A strong defensive team, Central Valley forced Orland into 11 first-half turnovers, and boxed out extremely well to grab a strong rebounding advantage.

The second quarter began with the Trojans trailing just 8-7, but Carlos Mansacola, the Falcon's top long-range threat, canned back-to-back 3-pointers as CV charged ahead 18-11.

Ethan Schmeltzer dropped one of his own for Orland, and Stephen Batchelder's bucket in the pain closed the first half-scoring, with the Trojans trailing 24-18.

"They're a solid team," said Orland coach Jason Bragg of the Falcons. "We were expecting a few more turnovers, but 11 in the first half was a killer."

Things needed to change if Orland hoped to claw its way back into the game. They did.

Jose Huerta took it to the rack aggressively for Orland in the third quarter, scoring eight of his nine points in the frame, and Batchelder scored eight points as well - all in the key - with his putback at the buzzer giving Orland a 35-34 lead.

The Trojans saved their best for the last period, as the two combatants volleyed the lead back-and-forth the whole eight minutes. Not only did Orland take better care of the ball, but they also played smartly, not committing a single foul after sending CV into the bonus with 6:12 remaining.

Batchelder finished off a Michael Coleman assist to pull Orland to within 45-44, but a Falcons bucket again made it a three-point game.

Jud Sailsbery responded with a hoop, and with 2:16 to go, a Schmeltzer basket off a possession that began with a Coleman defensive board pushed Orland in front 48-47.

Central Valley pulled a rebound down with 16 seconds left, and called a time-out with 11 seconds to set up a last shot. The Trojans gave no open looks, and as the desperation shot attempt found nothing but air the horn sounded, setting off a wild hometown celebration.

"I am unbelievably proud of these guys," Bragg beamed. "In the second half we won the rebounding battle and were able to squeak one out."

Batchelder combined his game-high 20 points with 18 rebounds for a huge double-double, with Huerta putting up nine points and Schmeltzer, seven.

Sailsbery dished out a team-best three assists, and also scrapped for eight boards.

Jackson Estes paced CV with 11 points.

The Trojans and Huskies tip off at 12:35 p.m. Saturday.

Craig Purcell is sports editor for Tri-County Newspapers. Contact him at 824-1036 or cpurcell@tcnpress.com.

Orland 48, Central Valley 47

Central Valley 8 16 10 13 -47

Orland 7 11 17 13 -48

Central Valley (47): J. Estes, 11; T. Estes, 9; Mansacola, 8; Albertson, 8; Saeturn, 6; Corbell, 3; Bearquiver, 2

Orland (48): Batchelder, 20; Huerta, 9; Schmeltzer, 7; Garcia, 5; Coleman, 3; Sailsbery, 2; Ribolin, 2