CAGUIOA IS EAGLES' GO-TO GUY : EAGLE ROCK 71, FRANKLIN 66.

Byline: Gary Washburn Daily News Staff Writer

Mark Caguioa re-entered the game with four fouls but no conscience.

This was the Frankin game, and if the Eagle Rock High School forward wasn't allowed to drive inside, he decided to put the team on his back Wednesday and do his work from the outside.

Caguioa scored 11 points in the final 4:05, including back-to-back 3-pointers, as the Eagles (14-4, 7-0) beat their archrival Panthers 71-66 at Franklin to claim first place in the Northern Conference.

Caguioa scored 37 points, including 24 in the first half. However, the Franklin defense tightened up and he scored just two in the third quarter before heading to the bench with four fouls. But the situation got desperate and he entered the game with 5:06 left and his team down 59-52.

His presence was immediately felt. He set up teammate Andy Rivera for a layup, then hit two of his own.

``It seemed like everything I was throwing up was going in,'' Caguioa said. ``I just couldn't foul, but that doesn't mean I couldn't shoot.''

When Franklin (12-5, 6-1) closed the inside, Caguioa hit two long-range 3-pointers and suddenly Eagle Rock led 66-63 with 1:27 left. It would never trail again.

The victory was sweet for Caguioa, a senior who missed last year's 3-A playoffs because of ineligibility. The Eagles were seeded second but lost in the second round without their leading scorer.

``I'm keeping my grades up,'' Caguioa said. ``It was tough not playing in the playoffs, but that won't happen this year.''

Eagle Rock coach Julian Andrade has been trying to call attention to his club and Northern Conference basketball, which is 3-A but exciting nonetheless. Both teams ran at a blistering pace and his Eagles are 20-2 in conference play in the past two years.