Four O.C. Teams Face Higher-Seeded Foes

It’s time to hit the road in search of upsets for the majority of the Orange County teams still alive in the Southern California men’s and women’s basketball playoffs.

Four of the six teams will be on the road against higher-seeded teams.

Going into a strange gym against a highly ranked team will be nothing knew for the Cypress men’s team, which pulled off the biggest upset of the first round Friday. The No. 23 Chargers beat No. 9 Santa Monica, 108-104, in double overtime.

Cypress travels to No. 7 Chaffey (25-10) for a 7 p.m. game Wednesday. Cypress trailed Santa Monica, 17-3, and went into the half with an eight-point deficit.

Things looked bleak when Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, son of the former Laker great (who watched the entire game), made two free throws with 10 seconds left to put Santa Monica ahead, 84-80.

Cypress’ Kevin Morris (20 points) sneaked inside for a layup with five seconds left and then teammate Frankie Floyd (20 points) stole the in-bounds pass near the top of the key. Floyd snapped a pass to Morris, who made a score-tying layup as time expired in regulation.

“Frankie Floyd made a couple of incredible players,” Cypress Coach Paul Bottiaux said. “It was a miracle [that we won]. I can’t believe it.”

Fullerton (19-12) has a shorter trip but an equally difficult opponent Wednesday. The No. 11 Hornets are going to No. 6 Cerritos (23-7), which beat Imperial Valley, 77-67, in the first round.

Irvine Valley (26-7) has the luxury of playing at home but faces No. 13 Southwestern (22-11), which forfeited eight victories this season for use of an ineligible player. The teams played twice in nonconference games and split.

The winners of Wednesday’s 7 p.m. games play Saturday in regional finals.

The Irvine Valley women’s team is at home tonight. Cypress and Orange Coast are on the road Wednesday.

Irvine Valley (23-5) is well rested thanks to a first-round bye. The Lasers, which have won seven in a row, last played Feb. 21, beating Cypress. Irvine Valley, seeded sixth, plays No. 11 Mt. San Antonio (17-11) at 7 p.m.

Cypress (22-8), the No. 12 team, is at No. 5 Cuesta (25-6), which is in San Luis Obispo. Cuesta is the northern-most team in the Southern California division.

Orange Coast (20-10) is off to No. 4 Victor Valley (24-6), which is in a Victorville.

Orange Coast beat Grossmont, 93-48, Saturday to mark the fifth consecutive season the Pirates have won at least 20 games under Coach Mike Thornton.