The Orange County Tribune for January 19, 2022

Covering Garden Grove Huntington Beach Stanton Westminster

Non-partisan News Opinion Arts & Living Sports

Printed in Garden Grove, California n orangecountytribune.com n Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022 n orangecountytribune@gmail.com

COVID-19 Stats Still High For Orange County Omicron variant is blamed

The coronavirus pandemic, supercharged by the Omicron variant, is continuing to fill hospital beds and intensive care units in Orange County.

Tuesday’s report from the county health care agency, showed 24,639 confirmed new cases. Divided by four days – no report was made Monday because of the Martin Luther King Day holiday – the average was 6,160 daily cases.

That’s below Friday’s figure of 8,257, but still among the highest daily tallies since the pandemic emerged in the spring of 2020.

Deaths were tallied at 17, which averages to 4.25 per day.

Hospitalizations rose from 1,154 to 1,197 and the use of intensive care units to treat COVID-19 patients increased from 171 to 199.

So far, Orange County has had 455,314 cases, of which 319,023 are considered re-

PAYROLL THEFT IS ALLEGED Suspect faces up to 15 years in prison covered. The death toll is at 5,938.

Nationally, The New York Times is reporting that new cases are up 62 percent and deaths by 54 percent over a 14-day period.

In California, new cases have risen by 251 percent over a similar period, according to Los Angeles Times.

Deaths have increased by 87 percent.

Johns Hopkins University has counted 332 million cases worldwide and 5.51 million deaths. In the U.S., there have been 67 million cases and 853,340 deaths.

Ex-investigator is charged with paycheck grand theft A former civilian investigator for the Westminster Police Department has been charged with 15 felonies for lying on her timesheets and claiming to have worked hundreds of hours that she had never worked.

The theft was discovered by the Westminster Police Department and turned over to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office for

prosecution.

Nadia Arlett Alvarez Poblete, 26, of Huntington Beach, has been charged with one felony count of grand theft by an employee and 14 felony counts of presenting a false claim.

She faces a maximum sentence of 12 years and four months in state prison if convicted on all counts. She is scheduled to be arraigned at

Neighbor saved by alert neighbor

HOUSE RAVAGED BY FIRE

An alert citizen is credited with possibly saving the life of a neighbor from a fire on Friday afternoon in Seal Beach.

According to the Orange County Fire Authority, the blaze was reported at a home in the 13000 block of Thunderbird Drive around 1:30 p.m. That’s northwest of Seal Beach and Westminster boulevards.

The citizen heard his neighbor yelling for help and he immediately responded, running over and helping the man escape from his home and the fire.

There were no injuries. The OCFA provides fire and paramedic service for Seal Beach as well as Garden Grove, Stanton, Westminster and other area cities.

the Stephen K. Tamura Justice Center in Department w12 on February 8, 2022.

Alvarez is accused of fraudulently altering her timesheets to reflect that she worked twice the amount of hours she had actually worked.

A supervisor in the WPD Crimes Against Persons Unit noticed Alvarez was often not at her workstation during her assigned shift and would leave well before her shift was over.

The Westminster police confirmed Alvarez had been paid for 566 hours that she did not work between January 6, 2021 and October 22, 2021, costing the City of Westminster a total of $12,106.74.

She is no longer employed by the Westminster Police Department.

For breaking news and sports all week long, go to www.orangecountytribune.com

2 WEDNESDAY, JAN. 19, 2022/ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE

WHO KILLED “T-REX” BACK IN 2014?

Huntington Beach police are offering a $5000 cash reward

Can cash warm up a 2014 cold case?

Detectives from the Huntington Beach Police Department are asking for the public’s assistance in providing information on a shooting that occurred in 2014 that resulted in the death of a 44-year-old male.

On May 10, 2014, at approximately 11 p.m., a man by the name of Tyrrell “T-Rex” Rathbun was shot and killed in the south alley of the 200 block of Memphis Avenue in Huntington Beach. Rathbun is believed to have been homeless at the time of the incident and was in possession of a black beach cruiser bicycle.

HBPD detectives investigated the

TYRELL RATHBUN Murdered in 2014

News Briefs

Hit-and-run victim is identified A woman killed in a hit-and-run incident Sunday in Stanton has been identified.

According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, which provides police services for Stanton, the woman is Lisa Underhill, 62, of Huntington Beach.

The OCSD reports that she was walking in a crosswalk in the area of Lampson Avenue and Beach Boulevard around 2:45 a.m. on Sunday. She was struck by a vehicle – believed to be a 2007 to 2009 Toyota Camry – and died at the scene. The driver left the scene before deputies arrived.

Missing diver’s body is found

A commercial diver who went missing in the ocean near Huntington Beach Sunday has been found dead.

According to authorities, the man was identified as Theodore Watler, 64, of Long Beach. He was in the area of an offshore oil-processing platform known as Elly when he was reported missing Sunday morning.

His body was found around 3 p.m. Sunday about 250 feet below the surface.

case and conducted extensive follow-up, which included interviewing over 100 people, however no arrest was made and the case has remained open.

The HBPD, in partnership with Orange County Crime Stoppers, is offering up to a $5,000 cash reward for any information provided that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for the murder of Rathbun.

Recently, a new witness contacted the police department to provide information and detectives are now actively working the case.

The public’s assistance is requested and for anyone with information to call the HBPD Tip Line at (714) 375-5066.

Members of the public wishing to remain anonymous may contact Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS (855-847-6227) or visit http://www.occrimestoppers. org to provide tips.

The Orange County Tribune is published on Wednesdays. Address is 9402 Luders Ave., Garden Grove, 92844.

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The best in local news

ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE/WEDNESDAY, JAN. 19, 2022 3

News&Views

Petitions to call for a recall election of Ho submitted to city clerk THREE KARAOKE ROOMS PROPOSED Would be in a renovated bowling alley in West Grove

Karaoke rooms proposed for West Grove bowling alley Like to sing? Aren’t too shy?

The Garden Grove Planning Commission will consider an application for a conditional use permit to allow three karaoke rooms to be included as part of a renovated bowling alley in West Garden Grove.

Mira Mesa Lanes, LLC, is asking for the permit for the project in the West Grove Center, located at 12141 Valley View St., south of Chapman Avenue.

It will occupy a portion of the former AMF Bowling Alley building.

That center is undergoing an extensive makeover. A car wash and a Jack-in-The-Box fast food eatery are already in place and a drivethrough Starbucks coffee is under construction.

Also on the commision’s agenda is a request for a one-year time extension for a previously approved 500-square foot expansion to the Hyundai of Garden Grove car dealership at the southwest corner of Trask Avenue and Brookhurst Street.

The panel will meet telephonically on Thursday, Jan. 20 at 7 p.m.

Suspect arrested in alleged driveway hit-and-run killing A woman suspected of running her boyfriend over in a Westminster driveway is in custody in a Colorado jail.

According to police, Saleena Isabelle Carra, 24, was charged with one count of murder in Jefferson County Jail, where she’s being held in lieu of $1 million in bail. She’s awaiting extradition to California.

In an incident on Walt Street in Westminster on Jan. 6, Carra allegedly deliberately struck Oscar Sandoval, 41, of Westminster with her Jeep sport utility vehicle and fled the scene.

She has identified by WPD detectives as a suspect and conferred with their counterparts in Arcata, Colorado, where police made the arrest.

Another chapter in the ongoing political infighting in Westminster was written on Thursday when organizers of a recall campaign against Councilmember Kimberly Ho submitted over 4000 signatures to the city clerk’s office.

According to Lucie Colombo, interim city clerk, a petition to call for a recall election had 4,045 signatures. At least 2,666 valid signatures are needed to require the city council to call an election to decide whether to remove Ho from her District 3 seat.

If the election proceeds, it will be the second time that Ho has face a recall vote in the last three years.

She was aone of the three councilmembers who prevailed in a recall election in April 2020.

Voters rejected the removal from office of Mayor Tri Ta and councilmembers Chi Charlie Nguyen and Ho with 57 to 59 percent opposed.

KIMBERLY HO Target of recall election drive That was when Ho was aligned with Ta and Nguyen. She now votes consistently with a new majority of Vice Mayor Carlos Manzo and Councilman Tai Do, leading some critics to accuse her of “switching sides.”

The signatures must be validated.

Any that are from people who are not registered voters residing in District 3 (generally the central part of the city) would be rejected.

n WESTMINSTER CITY COUNCIL

On a 3-2 vote, censure vs.

Mayor Tri Ta is approved

By Jim Tortolano At another marathon meeting that stretched over seven hours, the Westminster City Council voted late Wednesday night to officially censure Mayor Tri Ta. The vote was three to two, with Ta and Councilmember Chi Charlie Nguyen opposed.

Discussion and argument – punctuated by insults and angry cross-talk – took nearly an hour.

Councilmember Tai Do asked the council to consider the action based on Ta’s purported comments, primarily in the Vietnamese language, claiming that the mayor has been “kicked out of his office” by the council majority and is

officially “officeless.”

According to Do, Ta’s comments on local TV and in YouTube videos were “false and defamatory.” Part of Do’s request for a motion of censure is his claim that Ta drove around the city in a white SUV that he described as his “mobile office.”

He also claimed that Ta –while acting as mayor – urged voters to sign a petition to recall some members of the council.

In response, Ta called Do’s allegations “completely irrational” and accused him of lying about what the mayor had said. He denied urging his supporters to support the recall and sought to explain that what he meant by not having Comtinued on page 4

4 WEDNESDAY, JAN. 12, 2022/ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE

Council votes to censure Mayor Tri Ta Continued from page 3

an office was that after the council voted to relocate council offices from City Hall, it was in doubt where his new office would be located.

What followed was a verbal freefor-all in which council members fired accusations against each other and made frequent interruptions.

Chi Charlie Nguyen, in claiming that the council majority was

telling lies, said, “Liar, liar, pants on fire.” Manzo commented that the infighting at the meeting was “disgusting” and a “cancer on the city,” comparing it to adolescent bickering.

The council’s action to censure was the second time in the last two months it acted to reproach one of its own.

At a seven-hour meeting on Dec. 8-9, the council majority censured

Chi Charlie Nguyen for a range of alleged misconduct including using offensive language, being argumentative and disruptive at meetings and waging a “dishonest” campaign in favor of recalling other council members.

Censure is a symbolic gesture expressing disapproval, but it has no legal force.

The council’s action is to jave the city attorney return with a resolution of censure to be taken up at the next meeing of the council, which is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 26.

Rams dominate Cards, 34-11 in playoff opener

By Greg Beacham AP Sports Writer INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) – The Rams had a 20-point lead on Arizona with 4 1/2 minutes left at raucous SoFi Stadium. Matthew Stafford’s 13-year quest for his first playoff victory was all but complete after Los Angeles’ dominant performance on both sides of the ball.

The quarterback still took off running on third-and-long through the heart of the Cardinals’ defense on a gleeful, perilous scramble that ultimately ended short of a first down.

Even while shouldering enormous postseason pressure, Stafford never forgot to have fun. He was strong enough to carry it all _ and the Rams are riding him on to Tampa Bay. Stafford passed for 202 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another score in his first playoff win, and the Rams roared out of the wild-card round with a 34-11 victory over Arizona on Monday night.

“What a team effort,’’ Stafford said.

“Our defense played outstanding tonight. Special teams basically set up a score ... and we were good enough on offense to score some points and come away with the win.

Just happy to be moving on.’’

Odell Beckham Jr. and Cooper Kupp made touchdown catches for the NFC West champion Rams (13-5), who will visit the defending Super Bowl champion Buccaneers on Sunday for a spot in the NFC championship game.

ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE/WEDNESDAY, JAN. 19, 2022 5

Arts&Living “Scream” horror flick is much more of a yawn Trying and failing to recapture the feeling of original

By Jake Coyle AP Film Writer Ring. Ring.

Twenty-six years after the original, “Scream” calls again. We’re now up to the fifth film in the franchise, but the first since 2011’s “Scream 4.’’

Enough time has passed that this one, titled simply “Scream,’’ bears no number, no caller ID. That’s presumably because this “Scream,’’ which features the original cast and introduces a new generation of callers and stabbers, is sequel and reboot in one. Or, as one character explicitly defines in “Scream,’’ a “requel.’’

Part of the charm of the original “Scream,’’ a glossy, couldn’t-bemore-`90s slasher, was its knowingness. Wes Craven’s film, written by Kevin Williamson, made a plaything of genre conventions by having the characters openly discuss horror tropes while also being bludgeoned by them.

The bright idea of the new “Scream’’ is to double down on the meta. Here, the long-running “Stab’’ movies– the fictional stand-in for the “Scream’’ franchise - is mocked as cheeseball shlock. In the movie’s

“SCREAM” IS BACK AND NOT EXCITING OR SCARY This “requel” carries none of the charm of the original

Movie Review opening phone call, one that mirrors the call Drew Barrymore received in the original, Tara (Jenna Ortega) – after initially ignoring a strange call on “the landline’’ – tells the strange voice on the other end (again Roger Jackson, franchise MVP) that she prefers “elevated horror” like “The Babadook,” “Hereditary’’ and “It Follows.’’

It’s easy to chuckle (and agree) with such winking pronouncements. There’s a lot of such self-referential jokes in the new “Scream.”

But that’s about all there is.

What really is the legacy of “Scream’’? Most, I suspect, hardly recall the three sequels. The original got a big boost from the personalities of its performers, among them Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, David Arquette and Matthew Lillard. (All but Lillard return

Poor: H here.) But, like Tara suggests, the “Scream’’ movies seem like quickly aged relics - particularly when you consider that they were the products of Harvey and Bob Weinstein.

If anything, “Scream’’ persists mostly because Ghostface, its killer’s trademark Edvard Munch-like mask, remains a Halloween staple.

Continued on page 6

Helping parents navigate the health care system

By Kate Ashford Of NerdWallet Many adults find themselves helping their aging parents sign up for Medicare, a complex process with many steps and considerations.

There are penalties for delaying enrollment, and not everyone understands their options.

“You can’t go into it thinking it’s really easy,’’ says Melinda Caughill, co-founder of 65 Incorporated, which offers guidance on Medicare.

“It is incredibly complicated, and

the decisions your parents made, or will make, will affect you.’’

Being proactive and getting as much information as possible can help. Try these tips to be the best advocate for your parents during this life transition.

GET NEUTRAL ADVICE If you have questions, start with someone who isn’t trying to sell you (or your parents) anything. “People should not make their first stop an insurance agent or an insurance company,’’ Caughill says. “Do they

“NEW” MEDICARE CARD have your best interests at heart? To a point. But at the end of the day, they have to pay their bills just like everybody else.’’

If you can afford it, a Medicare advisor or advocate is a helpful resource. (Try searching online for “fee for service Medicare advisors.’’) Caughill suggests budgeting $500 to $1,000 for this kind of advice.

If that’s not an option, consider reaching out to your State Health Insurance Assistance Program, or SHIP. You can find yours at shiphelp.org.

“In every state, they provide free, local and unbiased information to Continued on page 6

6 WEDNESDAY, JAN. 19, 2022/ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE

“Scream” movie review Continued from page 5

Filmmakers Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett (who helmed 2019’s “Ready or Not’’), working from the script by James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick, don’t offer up much reason for a retread beside some kitschy killer nostalgia, more fun with phones and enough selfmocking irony to almost distract from how thin the movie is.

Working in their favor is a solid young cast, including Ortega, Melissa Barrera (“In the Heights``) and Jack Quaid (son of Dennis). Tara’s near-fatal encounter in the film’s first scene draws her estranged sister, Sam (Barrera), to her bedside.

Sam arrives with her boyfriend, Richie (Quaid), who professes unfamiliarity with the “Stab’’ films but proves a quick study at their rules of survival.

We are back in Woodsboro, California, the setting for all the “Scream’’ films and site of the murders said to inspire the “Stab’’ movies. When Ghostface begins

slashing again, the kids appeal to an earlier Woodsboro generation (Arquette, Cox, Campbell) for help.

It’s a basic format that’s been trotted out for plenty of reboots before.

But aside from its frequent stabs at self-referential comedy, “Scream’’ proceeds with a dull repetitiveness. (It’s the first “Scream’’ film not directed by Craven, who died in 2015 and to whom the movie is dedicated.)

None of the characters get filled in much, and instead are offered up like mere fodder for Ghostface’s knife. In the end, “Scream`` becomes a commentary on remakes, reboots and “requels’’ in a way it doesn’t quite intend. It captures the horror being trapped inside a neverending loop.

“Scream,’’ a Paramount Pictures release, is rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association of America for strong bloody violence, language throughout and some sexual references. 114 minutes.

Navigating health care system Continued from page 5

people who are aging into Medicare, people who are already Medicare recipients, their families and their caregivers,’’ says Micki Nozaki, director of California Senior Medicare Patrol for California Health Advocates. “If they don’t have all the information, they can point you to other resources.’’

There’s also a great deal of information on Medicare.gov.

You can familiarize yourself with the program by downloading the “Medicare & You ‘’ handbook. (Be prepared, it’s lengthy.)

SHOP FOR INSURANCE, NOT PERKS When people are shopping for Medicare, they can get distracted by the extras. “People get so focused on ‘my free gym membership’ or ‘my $50 gift card to Walgreens’ that they forget about what really matters,’’ Caughill says. “Medicare is health insurance.’’

Make sure your that parents’ medications are covered. Make sure their doctors are in network and that those providers will take the coverage being purchased. ``The reason you have health insurance is so if you get cancer, if you have a car

accident, if you have Parkinson’s (disease) or you’re hospitalized,’’ you’re covered, Caughill says.

WATCH THE CALENDAR Signing up for Medicare is timesensitive; it usually happens around age 65. “One of the most essential things people don’t understand is that if they don’t enroll in the correct time frame – and it’s rigid – they might incur a penalty for the rest of their lives,’’ Nozaki says.

Depending on the situation, there can be late enrollment penalties for Medicare Part A, Part B and Part D. In many cases, you’ll be charged that penalty for the rest of your time enrolled in Medicare.

Check Medicare.gov for enrollment deadlines that apply to your parents, because initial enrollment is birthday-specific.

READ THE FINE PRINT Your parents may be able to delay signing up for Medicare Part A or Part B, depending on their situation.

For instance, if one or both are still working at age 65 and they’re covered by employer-provided health insurance, they may be able to wait to sign up.

ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE/WEDNESDAY, JAN. 19, 2022 7

Crucial league matchups in prep basketball Continued from page 8

had 13 points in the Argonauts’ overtime win over Westminster on Friday. UPDATE: Grove won, 42-40.

Is there a more talent-laden OC basketball league than the Empire? Four of the six boys’ teams – Crean Lutheran, Tustin, Cypress and Pacifica – have at least 10 wins, and five of six girls’ teams are in double figures with wins.

Right now, Crean Lutheran looks like the class of the class of 2022.

The boys’ team is 15-1 overall and 3-0 in league. On the girls’ side, the Saints are 4-0 in league and 14-3 overall.

The big pending boys’ matchup in the Wave League is Wednesday’s clash between Marina (1-0 in league and 15-5 overall) and Corona del Mar (1-0, 17-1) at the Sea Kings’ gym. CDM has won seven games in a row and the Vikes five of their last six.

Also looking interesting is the Surf League race. An early crucial game will be Wednesday’s contest between Edison and Los Alamitos at the Griffin gym.

Both teams are 1-0 in league. The Chargers are 17-3 overall and the

Griffins are 13-5.

Don’t overlook Newport Harbor, which is scheduled to open league play tonight (Tuesday) hosting Los Al. The Sailors are 14-5. Right now, it looks like a three-team race, but time will tell.

The girls’ race in the Golden West League is hard to figure.

Only one team – Ocean View at 12-6 – has an overall winning mark. Segerstrom (3-0 and 8-12) is fastest out of the blocks with three leagues wins.

Friday’s game between the Seahawks and the Jaguars may shed some light on how the title

picture may eventually play out.

In the Garden Grove League girls’ basketball race, Santiago is the clear favorite. The Cavs are 3-0 in GGL play and 11-7 overall.

They shouldered their way into the lead with a 60-16 win over second place Loara (3-1, 7-11) earlier this month.

The purple and white are led by a couple of sophomores: Alexia Valencia (12.3 points per game) and Neryah Lokeni (12.1 ppg).

Prep Sports Spotlight is posted weekly during the high school athletic season.

Argos defeat Seahawks, 42-40, set up showdown with Jaguars Garden Grove High’s boys’ basketball team edged Ocean View 42-40 on Tuesday night to keep pace in the Golden West League race with Segerstrom, which defeated Westminster 72-58.

Both teams are 3-0 in league and will meet on Tuesday at the Argonaut gym and again on Monday, Jan. 31 at the Jaguar facility. Overall, the Argos are 11-7 and Segerstrom is 7-13.

Each team is on a hot streak, Grove having won four straight and the Jags three in a row.

Tuesday night area high school basketball scores: BOYS Empire League • Tustin 57, Pacifica 50 Golden West League • Garden Grove 42, Ocean View 40 • Segerstrom 72, Westminster 58 Orange League • Western 59, Magnolia 25 Non-league • Orangewood Academy 68, Webb 16 • Anaheim Discovery Christian 59, Padre Pio Academy 44 GIRLS Empire League • Tustin 37, Pacifica 17 Golden West League • Garden Grove 66, Ocean View 53 • Segerstrom 55, Westminster 52 Orange League • Magnolia 45, Western 37 San Joaquin League • Orangewood 85, Webb 21 Surf League • Fountain Valley 55, Huntington Beach 37

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8 WEDNESDAY, JAN. 19, 2022/ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE

TheSportsPage

Key league basketball contests are coming up League play for area high school basketball teams is underway, but the schedules have taken a hit from COVID-19 protocols, which has led to postponements, cancellations and slimmed-down rosters.

Still, some key contests are lining up that will

influence – if not decide – league championships.

On Wednesday, Bolsa Grande will host Santiago in a big Garden Grove League boys’ hoops matchup. Both are 3-0 in league and are two of only three teams in the GGL with overall winning records.

Big game will be against Santiago for the GGL lead

the pun – a barnburner of a Garden Grove League boys’ basketball game Friday between Bolsa Grande and Loara at the Saxon gym.

In the end, the Matadors prevailed 38-32 and remained unbeaten in GGL play, moving toward a likely showdown with Santiago High for the

Defense Wins The Game for the Matadors

By Jim Tortolano A game marked by cold shooting – sparked in part by red-hot defense – resulted in – pardon

12 locals are ranked in CIF-SS

A total of 12 area high school sports teams are recognized in CIF-SS polls for winter sports, as announced Tuesday.

Girls’ basketball • Open Division: Orangewood Academy • Division 1: Orangewood Academy (tied for seventh) • Division 5A: Orange (fifth). Magnolia (13th) Boys’ basketball • Division 2A: Marina (11th) • Division 2A: Edison (third) • Division 3A: Orangewood Academy (fourth) • Division 5AA: Bolsa Grande • Division 5A: La Quinta Girls’ soccer • Division 1: Huntington Beach (received votes) Boys’ soccer • Division 1: Huntington Beach (fourth) Girls’ water polo • Division 2: Edison (fourth) • Division 6: Westminster (eighth).

Prep Sport Spotlight The Matadors (10-6) overcame a cold shooting night with good defense to defeat La Quinta 38-32 on Friday. Bolsa has posted five consecutive victories.

The Cavaliers (13-8) ran past Los Amigos 76-38 in their last conference game and are on a five-game winning streak.

On Tuesday there was a big Golden West League boys’ crucial as Garden Grove (2-0, 10-7) hosted Ocean View (1-0, 10-6). The Argonauts and Seahawks

have dominated the GWL the last few years.

Ocean View is led by senior Ramon Lopez, who is averaging 27.7 points per game. Also averaging in double figures are Peyton Guerrero (10.5 ppg) and Cole Kenrich (10.6 ppg). Allen Abarca Continued on page 7

MATADORS AND SAXONS CLASH Tommy Pham (3) led Bolsa in scoring in win against Loara league crown.

“I think we played the way we wanted to, defensively,” said Bolsa coach Todd Halbreich. “Offensively, we just missed a lot of easy ones.”

Both teams were chilly early.

The Matadors worked out a lead of 14-7 late in the second quarter, but the Saxons battled back to grab a 17-16 edge at the 3:41 mark of the third.

It was the only lead the home team would have since the tipoff.

With three minutes to go in the game and a 3330 lead, Bolsa went into

a not-quite-stall, slowing the pace to chew up some time.

It almost backfired.

With 1:32 to play, junior forward Andrew Romero scored inside for Loara to cut the lead to 33-32.

But, as they had all afternoon, the Matadors answered. Tommy Pham hit a trey 16 seconds later to open up the margin to 36-32, and Tri Ly followed that at the 17.5 second mark inside to extend the lead out to 38-32.

Pham led the Mats with 11 points, including two three-pointers in the fourth quarter. Jared Phan

added 10. Elias Farhat and Romero each had eight for the Saxons.

Next for the Mats (4-0 and 11-6 overall) is Santiago’s Cavaliers (3-0 and 13-8 as of this posting) at the Matador gymnasium on Wednesday at 6 p.m.

“That’ll be a big one for us,” said Halbreich. “It we can get that one, that’ll make us feel a lot better.”

And how will that happen?

“Play hard. Come out and play hard defensively. If we can keep teams to 32 points, we’re gonna do some good things.”