Boys basketball: CdM earns piece of PCL crown

Barry Faulkner

CORONA DEL MAR - It hasn’t been so long that Corona del Mar High

boys basketball coach Paul Orris has forgotten the cliche. He just

couldn’t bring himself to say it Tuesday, after, arguably, his biggest

regular-season win in a decade.

“Defense wins ... ballgames,” said the 14-year head man, modifying the

time-honored expression which typically ends with “championships.”

“That would be a little premature,” Orris said, following a 69-52

drubbing of visiting University, which clinched at least a share of the

Pacific Coast League title with one league game remaining.

The Sea Kings (19-6, 5-2 in league and ranked No. 4 in CIF Southern

Section Division III-AA) can claim their first outright league crown

since 1987 with a win Thursday at Costa Mesa.

Even with a loss Thursday, however, CdM, sprung this season from the

ultracompetitive environs of the Sea View League, is assured a piece of

its first league crown since 1990.

And, much to its coach’s delight, CdM fashioned Tuesday’s triumph with

the old-school staple Orris began teaching four decades ago, beginning in

1970 with the freshmen team.

“The last three practices, we worked on offense maybe 15 minutes,” Orris

said. “I thought, in general, our defense stepped up tonight. I’d like to

think that had something to do with Uni’s lack of consistent shooting.”

The Trojans (15-10, 4-3), who just six days earlier reigned 16

three-point baskets on Costa Mesa in a 94-67 win, connected on 8 of 24

(33%) from long range against the Sea Kings.

But, Coach Mike Dinneen’s visitors were even worse inside the arc (9 of

37 for 24%) to finish 17 of 61 from the field (28%).

“It was the biggest game of the year -- for the league title -- but it

was the worst game we’ve played all year,” Dinneen said. “But (the Sea

Kings) played well, so you have to give them credit. I just didn’t think

we could play that poorly.”

CdM senior Kevin Hansen paced the winners with 28 points and 10 rebounds,

then tempered the giddy postgame feeling flowing in the Sea King locker

room.

“We’re celebrating a little, but it’s not time, yet,” Hansen said. “We

still need to win Thursday.”

Greatly aiding Tuesday’s win was 6-foot-7 senior center Joel Templeton,

who spent most of the day in bed and was looking forward to reclining

after the game.

“I woke up with a 100-degree temperature,” said Templeton, who scored

eight of his 12 points in the fourth quarter. “I’m going home to pass

out.”

Senior point guard Alec Hanson added 11 points for the winners, who also

got quality minutes from senior reserves Elliott Patterson (six points,

three rebounds, two assists and one blocked shot) and Brooks Morris

(seven points, four boards and one block) on senior night.

“God, I wanted this one,” Orris said with a clinched fist. “I just

thought we belonged.”

CdM broke a 4-4 deadlock with an 11-2 run, on its way to a 19-11

first-quarter lead. CdM then pushed the advantage to 10 points, before

Uni scored the final six points before halftime to trail, 32-27.

But the Sea Kings opened the third quarter with a 12-2 blitz and, despite

three straight three-pointers by the Trojans in a 79-second span late in

the period, led, 48-42, at quarter’s end.

Uni opened the final quarter with a layup to close to within four, but

Hanson converted his own steal with a layin and Hansen scored the next

seven points.

Before Uni scored its second field goal of the quarter with 3:39 left,

CdM had reeled off a 17-1 spurt, rendering the final minutes garbage

time.

HIGH SCHOOL BOYS

Pacific Coast League

Corona del Mar 69, University 52

Score by Quarters

University 11 16 15 10 - 52

Corona del Mar 19 13 16 21 - 69

University - Lawrence 16, Garey 13, Zinchefsky 7, Elsherbiny 6, Dale 4,

Tran 3, Ebadolahbi 3.

3-pt. goals - Lawrence 4, Garey 2, Zinchefsky 1, Edabolahbi 1.

Fouled out - Dale, Elcherbiny.

Technicals - None.

Corona del Mar - Hansen 28, Templeton 12, Hanson 11, Morris 7, Patterson

6, Snell 3, Hietbrink 2, Shahangian 0, Owen 0, Bottom 0.

3-pt. goals - Hansen 1, Hanson 1.

Fouled out - Templeton.

Technicals - None.