The Irvine Valley men's basketball team did it again over the weekend.
The Lasers won their third tournament of the season and stayed undefeated on the year with three victories at the 41st annual SBCC Classic in Santa Barbara.
Irvine Valley, ranked 11th in the state as of last week, improved its record to 12-0 overall.
Heading into this week's action, Irvine Valley was the last unbeaten team in the state.
The Lasers defeated Bakersfield, 67-59, No. 20 Allan Hancock, 74-67, and then Victor Valley, 84-78, in the final.
"We continued to play better," Irvine Valley coach Jerry Hernandez said. "What I was most pleased about is that we had tough match-ups, especially on the perimeter, against every one of those teams and we found a way to defend them and then not turn it over a bunch against their presses. And then we also executed in crunch time.
"In the second half of each game we were able to find ways to score in critical moments against very good teams."
Irvine Valley, which was playing in the Santa Barbara tournament for the first time, rallied past Victor Valley on Saturday for the title.
Freshman point guard Jalen Hall scored 13 of his 18 points in the final 6:46 to lead the Lasers.
"Jalen has been great," Hernandez said. "He has handled everything and more that we have thrown at him so far."
Hall, who was a perfect 10 of 10 from the free throw line in the game, was named MVP of the eight-team tourney. The Lasers were 18 of 21 from the charity stripe as a team in the game.
Irvine Valley also committed just four turnovers while helping force 15 in the final game against Victor Valley.
Sophomore center Declan Daly, who had 15 points and nine rebounds in the title game, was also an all-tournament choice.
Freshman forward Chris Porter added 12 points and four rebounds in the win.
Porter was the star of the team's victory over Allan Hancock a day earlier, finishing with 16 points and 13 rebounds.
Sophomore guard Shaquille Hunter scored 17 points and Hall contributed 14 points and four assists in the win over Hancock.
"It is a very long season, but I am proud of our guys and what we have accomplished so far," Hernandez said. "We have some under the radar guys and to have a fun run like this and be first in anything (best record in the state), is pretty cool for our program."
Irvine Valley will play again on Thursday and it will be a big test. The Lasers open the Brummel Classic at Saddleback against Mt. San Jacinto, which was ranked No. 7 in the state last week.
