FREEWAY LEAGUE : Sonora Wins Despite Disappointing Performance

Sonora’s 72-48 victory over Fullerton Wednesday had all the indications of an accelerated lifestyle.

The Raiders won, by a lot, but felt fortunate. They won for the 10th consecutive time but were not happy. They clinched a share of the Freeway League championship--their first title since 1984--but no one felt much like celebrating.

Instead, the talk was of more, more, more.

“Recently, I’ve been less and less satisfied with some of our wins,� Coach Mike Murphy said. “That’s just the way things have been.�

In this case, though, greed is good.

Just two seasons ago, the Raiders stumbled and bumbled their way to a 5-18 record. It was their seventh consecutive losing season since winning consecutive league championships in 1983-84.

Times have changed. The Raiders were 15-11 a year ago and this season it has gotten to the point where they can get downright picky about which things get them excited.

“I guess we’re getting accustomed to winning,� said senior guard Chris St. Clair, who made the varsity team as a sophomore.

“Any win was great back then, no matter how we got it. I mean, I had some doubts about whether we could ever win. But we can’t be happy with just winning now.�

They weren’t on Wednesday.

The Raiders (19-3, 7-0 in league) played well in spurts, then would hand back everything they had gained.

St. Clair, their leading scorer, made only seven of 17 shots. Chris Campbell, a 6-foot-8 center, disappeared for long stretches and eventually fouled out.

Fullerton (13-9, 4-3) took advantage of such sluggish play to stay close.

Chad Murray, the Indians’ 6-5 center, scored 24 points. His layup early in the third quarter gave Fullerton a 31-30 lead.

What pulled Sonora through was raw ability.

Even on an bad night, St. Clair is better then most. He finished with 19 points and scored seven during an 18-2 spurt that gave the Raiders a 38-33 lead.

Campbell, during his brief appearances, was more than the Indians could handle. He finished with 17 points and four dunks.

Peter Lythgoe chipped in with 16 points and the Raiders had another victory, no matter how disappointing it was.

“I never imagined us winning by 20 and me being unhappy,� Murphy said. “But I really think we can be better.�

In another league game:

Sunny Hills 55, La Habra 52--Brandon Haynes scored 16 points for Sunny Hills (7-12, 2-5), and Eddie Glover had 15 for La Habra.