Saddleback Takes on Fullerton with Title on the Line

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.