ORANGE COUNTY PREP BASKETBALL : Empire League : Yoxtheimer Sparks Cypress Comeback Against El Dorado and Sammon

Cypress High School overcame a big lead by El Dorado and a nagging injury to its star player to upset the Golden Hawks, 75-74, Wednesday in an Empire League game at El Dorado.

El Dorado led Cypress, 56-45, with 1:35 remaining in the third period. The Golden Hawks (4-1, 12-3), who are small and depend on outside shooting and quickness, had not played an exceptional game to that point but appeared in control. Led by Jim Sammon, who scored 31 points to set the school career scoring mark, the Golden Hawks made outside shots or got steals whenever they needed them. El Dorado finished the period leading, 57-49.

But in the fourth quarter Chris Yoxtheimer, the Centurions’ 6-foot 7-inch center who is still bothered by a leg injury sustained last season, scored 13 of his 31 points, shut off the key area defensively and dominated underneath.

It was in Cypress’ third league game last season that Yoxtheimer came down hard on his left foot and broke both bones in his right leg. The breaks were so severe that blood clots developed. Later, an infection developed around an eight-inch stainless steel plate that had been placed in the leg.

The injury has caused Yoxtheimer to miss numerous practices. He only worked out with the team Monday this week.

“It’s tough when you don’t have him around everyday,” Centurions’ Coach Ron Craig said. “It throws our timing off, but what can you do? It still really hurts him.”

So much that Yoxtheimer had to be removed at one point in the third quarter after coming down hard on his right foot.

With 3:58 left Yoxtheimer made a 15-foot jump shot to bring the Centurions within a point, 65-64. Less than a minute later, guard Matt Civitelli drove along the baseline, making a short jump shot and was fouled. After he converted the free throw, Cypress (4-1, 9-7) had a 67-65 lead.

A free throw by Rob Hanna brought the Golden Hawks to within one, but Yoxtheimer drove for another basket to put Cypress ahead.

Civitelli clinched the game with :37 seconds remaining with two free throws to put the Centurions ahead, 75-68.

Kevin Heenan held the old career scoring record for El Dorado with 1,001 points. Sammon has 1,025 points.

In other Empire League games:

Katella 66, Esperanza 49--Bob Erbst scored 19 points and teammate Richard Lucas added 15, to lead the visiting Knights (4-1, 12-3) over Esperanza (1-4, 5-8).

Mike Vincent led the Aztecs with 15 points.

Kennedy 73, Loara 58--Glen Mares scored 23 points and Darren Queen and Michael Keith each added 16 as the Irish snapped a four-game league losing streak.

Los Alamitos 90, Pacific 57--J.T. Snow scored 27 points and Ryan Blossey added 16 to lead the Griffins past the Mariners at Los Alamitos. Snow also had 7 assists and 5 steals for the Griffins. Los Alamitos (5-0 and 11-3) is at Katella Friday. Pacifica fell to 1-4 and 4-8.