ANAHEIM – Foothill’s boys basketball team secured a playoff berth Tuesday with a 61-57 win over Esperanza in a Crestview League game at Esperanza High.
The top two finishers in the four-team Crestview League receive automatic entry into the CIF-Southern Section playoffs that begin next week. Foothill will be the league’s No. 2 team and will compete in the CIF-SS Division 2A playoffs.
Tuesday’s game was more of a must-win for Foothill than it was for Esperanza. Foothill went into the game with a 12-14 record. If the Knights had lost, and with one game remaining in the regular season, they could not have reached the .500-or-better overall record plateau required to be a candidate for an at-large. Thus, Foothill has to finish in second to make the playoffs.
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![Foothill’s Brennan Hellmers scores past Esperanza’s Jason Francis, left, and Isaiah Alvarez during Foothills’ 61-57 victory in a Crestview League game at Esperanza High in Anaheim on Tuesday, Feb 6, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)]()
Foothill’s Brennan Hellmers scores past Esperanza’s Jason Francis, left, and Isaiah Alvarez during Foothills’ 61-57 victory in a Crestview League game at Esperanza High in Anaheim on Tuesday, Feb 6, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)
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![Esperanza’s Will Steinbeck is stopped by Foothill’s James Ruwe during Esperanza’s 61-57 loss to Foothill in a Crestview League game at Esperanza High in Anaheim on Tuesday, Feb 6, 2018. Steinbeck was injured on the play. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)]()
Esperanza’s Will Steinbeck is stopped by Foothill’s James Ruwe during Esperanza’s 61-57 loss to Foothill in a Crestview League game at Esperanza High in Anaheim on Tuesday, Feb 6, 2018. Steinbeck was injured on the play. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)
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![Esperanza’s Brendan Harrick tries to get around Foothill’s Brooks Mallory during Esperanza’s 61-57 loss in a Crestview League game at Esperanza High in Anaheim on Tuesday, Feb 6, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)]()
Esperanza’s Brendan Harrick tries to get around Foothill’s Brooks Mallory during Esperanza’s 61-57 loss in a Crestview League game at Esperanza High in Anaheim on Tuesday, Feb 6, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)
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![Esperanza’s Brendan Harrick tries to stop Foothill’s Brennan Hellmers during Esperanza’s 61-57 loss to Foothill in a Crestview League game at Esperanza High in Anaheim on Tuesday, Feb 6, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)]()
Esperanza’s Brendan Harrick tries to stop Foothill’s Brennan Hellmers during Esperanza’s 61-57 loss to Foothill in a Crestview League game at Esperanza High in Anaheim on Tuesday, Feb 6, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)
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![Esperanza’s Brendan Harrick, left, and Jason Francis try to stop Foothill’s Brennan Hellmers during Esperanza’s 61-57 loss to Foothill in a Crestview League game at Esperanza High in Anaheim on Tuesday, Feb 6, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)]()
Esperanza’s Brendan Harrick, left, and Jason Francis try to stop Foothill’s Brennan Hellmers during Esperanza’s 61-57 loss to Foothill in a Crestview League game at Esperanza High in Anaheim on Tuesday, Feb 6, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)
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![Foothill’s Brennan Hellmers sinks a final free throw to seal the win during Foothills’ 61-57 victory in a Crestview League game at Esperanza High in Anaheim on Tuesday, Feb 6, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)]()
Foothill’s Brennan Hellmers sinks a final free throw to seal the win during Foothills’ 61-57 victory in a Crestview League game at Esperanza High in Anaheim on Tuesday, Feb 6, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)
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![Esperanza’s Brendan Harrick looks shocked as he greets teammate Josh Noble after Esperanza’s 61-57 loss to Foothill in a Crestview League game at Esperanza High in Anaheim on Tuesday, Feb 6, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)]()
Esperanza’s Brendan Harrick looks shocked as he greets teammate Josh Noble after Esperanza’s 61-57 loss to Foothill in a Crestview League game at Esperanza High in Anaheim on Tuesday, Feb 6, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)
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![Esperanza fans cheer during their 61-57 loss to Foothill in a Crestview League game at Esperanza High in Anaheim on Tuesday, Feb 6, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)]()
Esperanza fans cheer during their 61-57 loss to Foothill in a Crestview League game at Esperanza High in Anaheim on Tuesday, Feb 6, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)
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![Esperanza fans cheer during their 61-57 loss to Foothill in a Crestview League game at Esperanza High in Anaheim on Tuesday, Feb 6, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)]()
Esperanza fans cheer during their 61-57 loss to Foothill in a Crestview League game at Esperanza High in Anaheim on Tuesday, Feb 6, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)
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![Foothill’s Brandon Green shoots past Esperanza’s Brendan Harrick, left, and Jason Francis during Foothills’ 61-57 victory in a Crestview League game at Esperanza High in Anaheim on Tuesday, Feb 6, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)]()
Foothill’s Brandon Green shoots past Esperanza’s Brendan Harrick, left, and Jason Francis during Foothills’ 61-57 victory in a Crestview League game at Esperanza High in Anaheim on Tuesday, Feb 6, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)
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![Esperanza fans cheer during their 61-57 loss to Foothill in a Crestview League game at Esperanza High in Anaheim on Tuesday, Feb 6, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)]()
Esperanza fans cheer during their 61-57 loss to Foothill in a Crestview League game at Esperanza High in Anaheim on Tuesday, Feb 6, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)
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![Esperanza’s Brendan Harrick grabs a little jersey while trying to stop Foothill’s Conrad Peper during Esperanza’s 61-57 loss in a Crestview League game at Esperanza High in Anaheim on Tuesday, Feb 6, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)]()
Esperanza’s Brendan Harrick grabs a little jersey while trying to stop Foothill’s Conrad Peper during Esperanza’s 61-57 loss in a Crestview League game at Esperanza High in Anaheim on Tuesday, Feb 6, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)
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![Foothill’s Brandon Green has a shot blocked by Esperanza’s Jason Francis during Foothills’ 61-57 victory in a Crestview League game at Esperanza High in Anaheim on Tuesday, Feb 6, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)]()
Foothill’s Brandon Green has a shot blocked by Esperanza’s Jason Francis during Foothills’ 61-57 victory in a Crestview League game at Esperanza High in Anaheim on Tuesday, Feb 6, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)
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![Esperanza’s Julian Almazan shots over Foothill’s Jacob Jang, left, and Conrad Peper during Esperanza’s 61-57 loss in a Crestview League game at Esperanza High in Anaheim on Tuesday, Feb 6, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)]()
Esperanza’s Julian Almazan shots over Foothill’s Jacob Jang, left, and Conrad Peper during Esperanza’s 61-57 loss in a Crestview League game at Esperanza High in Anaheim on Tuesday, Feb 6, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)
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![Esperanza’s Brendan Harrick can’t stop Foothill’s Conrad Peper during Esperanza’s 61-57 loss in a Crestview League game at Esperanza High in Anaheim on Tuesday, Feb 6, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)]()
Esperanza’s Brendan Harrick can’t stop Foothill’s Conrad Peper during Esperanza’s 61-57 loss in a Crestview League game at Esperanza High in Anaheim on Tuesday, Feb 6, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)
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![Foothill’s Conrad Peper is fouled by Esperanza’s Josh Noble as Brendan Harrick helps defend, at right, during Foothills’ 61-57 victory in a Crestview League game at Esperanza High in Anaheim on Tuesday, Feb 6, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)]()
Foothill’s Conrad Peper is fouled by Esperanza’s Josh Noble as Brendan Harrick helps defend, at right, during Foothills’ 61-57 victory in a Crestview League game at Esperanza High in Anaheim on Tuesday, Feb 6, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)
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![Esperanza’s Josh Noble, left, and Brendan Harrick try and stop Foothill’s James Ruwe during Esperanza’s 61-57 loss to Foothill in a Crestview League game at Esperanza High in Anaheim on Tuesday, Feb 6, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)]()
Esperanza’s Josh Noble, left, and Brendan Harrick try and stop Foothill’s James Ruwe during Esperanza’s 61-57 loss to Foothill in a Crestview League game at Esperanza High in Anaheim on Tuesday, Feb 6, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)
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![Esperanza’s Isaiah Alvarez is fouled as he shoots by Foothill’s Conrad Peper during Esperanza’s 61-57 loss in a Crestview League game at Esperanza High in Anaheim on Tuesday, Feb 6, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)]()
Esperanza’s Isaiah Alvarez is fouled as he shoots by Foothill’s Conrad Peper during Esperanza’s 61-57 loss in a Crestview League game at Esperanza High in Anaheim on Tuesday, Feb 6, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)
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![Senior McKennah Kaplan gives a friend a thumbs up after a half-time ceremony for Senior Night during Esperanza’s 61-57 loss to Foothill in a Crestview League basketball game at Esperanza High in Anaheim on Tuesday, Feb 6, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)]()
Senior McKennah Kaplan gives a friend a thumbs up after a half-time ceremony for Senior Night during Esperanza’s 61-57 loss to Foothill in a Crestview League basketball game at Esperanza High in Anaheim on Tuesday, Feb 6, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)
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![The Esperanza cheerleaders perform during their 61-57 loss to Foothill in a Crestview League game at Esperanza High in Anaheim on Tuesday, Feb 6, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)]()
The Esperanza cheerleaders perform during their 61-57 loss to Foothill in a Crestview League game at Esperanza High in Anaheim on Tuesday, Feb 6, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)
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![Senior Kelsey Higgins gets a hug from her mom during a half-time ceremony for Senior Night before Esperanza’s 61-57 loss to Foothill in a Crestview League basketball game at Esperanza High in Anaheim on Tuesday, Feb 6, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)]()
Senior Kelsey Higgins gets a hug from her mom during a half-time ceremony for Senior Night before Esperanza’s 61-57 loss to Foothill in a Crestview League basketball game at Esperanza High in Anaheim on Tuesday, Feb 6, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)
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![Foothill head coach Zach Johnson, at right, sits down after being called for a technical during Foothill’s 61-57 victory over Esperanza in a Crestview League game at Esperanza High in Anaheim on Tuesday, Feb 6, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)]()
Foothill head coach Zach Johnson, at right, sits down after being called for a technical during Foothill’s 61-57 victory over Esperanza in a Crestview League game at Esperanza High in Anaheim on Tuesday, Feb 6, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)
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![A senior is recognized on the court with his family before Esperanza’s 61-57 loss to Foothill in a Crestview League game at Esperanza High in Anaheim on Tuesday, Feb 6, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)]()
A senior is recognized on the court with his family before Esperanza’s 61-57 loss to Foothill in a Crestview League game at Esperanza High in Anaheim on Tuesday, Feb 6, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)
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![Members of the Dance team receive flowers at halftime during Esperanza’s 61-57 loss to Foothill in a Crestview League game at Esperanza High in Anaheim on Tuesday, Feb 6, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)]()
Members of the Dance team receive flowers at halftime during Esperanza’s 61-57 loss to Foothill in a Crestview League game at Esperanza High in Anaheim on Tuesday, Feb 6, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)
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![Esperanza’s Brendan Harrick is recognized with his family during Senior Night before Esperanza’s 61-57 loss to Foothill in a Crestview League game at Esperanza High in Anaheim on Tuesday, Feb 6, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)]()
Esperanza’s Brendan Harrick is recognized with his family during Senior Night before Esperanza’s 61-57 loss to Foothill in a Crestview League game at Esperanza High in Anaheim on Tuesday, Feb 6, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)
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![Esperanza head coach Mark Hill on the bench during Esperanza’s 61-57 loss to Foothill in a Crestview League game at Esperanza High in Anaheim on Tuesday, Feb 6, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)]()
Esperanza head coach Mark Hill on the bench during Esperanza’s 61-57 loss to Foothill in a Crestview League game at Esperanza High in Anaheim on Tuesday, Feb 6, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)
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![Foothill head coach Zach Johnson argues a call during Foothill’s 61-57 victory over Esperanza in a Crestview League game at Esperanza High in Anaheim on Tuesday, Feb 6, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)]()
Foothill head coach Zach Johnson argues a call during Foothill’s 61-57 victory over Esperanza in a Crestview League game at Esperanza High in Anaheim on Tuesday, Feb 6, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)
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![Esperanza head coach Mark Hill on the bench during Esperanza’s 61-57 loss to Foothill in a Crestview League game at Esperanza High in Anaheim on Tuesday, Feb 6, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)]()
Esperanza head coach Mark Hill on the bench during Esperanza’s 61-57 loss to Foothill in a Crestview League game at Esperanza High in Anaheim on Tuesday, Feb 6, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)
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![Foothill’s Conrad Peper is fouled by Esperanza’s Brendan Harrick during Foothills’ 61-57 victory in a Crestview League game at Esperanza High in Anaheim on Tuesday, Feb 6, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)]()
Foothill’s Conrad Peper is fouled by Esperanza’s Brendan Harrick during Foothills’ 61-57 victory in a Crestview League game at Esperanza High in Anaheim on Tuesday, Feb 6, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Esperanza is almost a sure thing to get into the Division 1 playoffs as an at-large team. The Aztecs, 16-10 overall with one regular-season game remaining, have the .500-or-better record needed for at-large berth candidacy. It looks like at least six teams in Division 1 will be selected to the CIF-SS elite Open Division, making Division 1 at-large berths plentiful.
League-champion Canyon, which plays host to Esperanza on Thursday, will be the league’s No. 1 representative and will play in 2AA in which Canyon is the No. 1 team in the 2AA rankings.
Brennan Hellmers, who led Foothill, 3-2 in league, with 20 points and 10 rebounds, said Tuesday’s win continues a recent run of higher-quality play for the Knights.
“We’re really excited about going into the playoffs,” said Hellmers, a 6-foot-6 senior forward. “We have a lot of momentum going. We can compete with anybody as long we play our best.”
Brandon Green scored 13 points for the Knights. Foothill’s Conrad Peper scored 10 points, eight in the fourth quarter, with six rebounds.
Julian Almazan led Esperanza, 2-3 in league, with 24 points. The Aztecs’ Brendan Harrick scored 13 points, nine fewer than his per-game average, as Foothill’s Brooks Mallory did an effective job denying Harrick the ball and contesting most every shot by Harrick.
Foothill took a 21-6 lead in the first quarter in which Hellmers scored 10 points and the Knights shot 10 for 18 from the field. Esperanza outscored Foothill 21-8 in the second quarter to leave Foothill with a 29-27 halftime advantage.
The third quarter ended with Foothill again hanging on to a tight lead 43-40.