SANTIAGO players celebrate after defeating Ramona 64-49 for the CIF-SS 4AA boys basketball crown on Satutday morning in Ontario (Tribune photo).

By Miles Gaskin/Orange County Tribune

The Santiago High Cavaliers defeated the Ramona Rams 64-49 for the CIF-SS 4AA boys’ basketball title on Saturday morning at Toyota Arena in Ontario.

It was the Cavs’ first CIF-SS boys basketball championship in school history.

Santiago led for most of the game, and despite some late pushes from the Rams they were able to maintain their lead and come out on top.

The Cavaliers burst out of the gates to start the game, and built a 22-10 lead after the first quarter.  In the third quarter the Cavaliers stretched their lead all the way out to 17.

Ramona seized momentum in the fourth quarter and was able to make a push, cutting the lead to seven with about two minutes left in the game.  With the game in the balance, Santiago was able to knock down back-to-back threes to push the lead to 13 and secure the victory.

Despite Ramona outscoring Santiago 26-16 in the paint, Santiago’s red-hot shooting proved to be the story of the game.  They shot 49 percent from the field, and a ridiculous 56 percent from behind the arc.  Ramona shot 30 percent from the field, and 15 percent from three.

Santiago will head into the state playoffs with a record of 22-11, Romona will drop to 26-7 with the loss.

Senior phenom Jorden De la Mora put the Cavaliers on his back, finishing with 28 points on a scorching hot 8-17 from the field.  He knocked down four three-pointers, and also grabbed four rebounds. Senior forward Jerell Guidry also provided key contributions for the Cavaliers, finishing with 10 points, six rebounds, and two assists.

For the Rams, senior forward Andrew Green led the way, netting a double-double with 14 points, and 10 rebounds.  Senior small forward Troy Terrel finished with a near double-double, tallying 13 points, and nine rebounds.

Santiago Coach Matt Moorhouse reflected on his team’s journey after the game.

“I am still in shock,” he said. “I did not see us getting here at the beginning of the season, I knew we were a good team but it took us a while to get going, and then it just started rolling.”

Moorhouse had high praise for the game’s leading scorer De la Mora.

“This guy right here is phenomenal. He is one of the best offensive players I have ever had, he is definitely going to be playing at the next level. I think a lot of people don’t know who he is, but they will know who he is now.”

SANTIAGO CAVALIERS, CIF-SS 4-AA boys basketball champs.