Boys basketball: CdM run comes to an end

Barry Faulkner

INGLEWOOD - Sometimes the problem can’t be fixed with insightful

timeout instruction, an inspired halftime pep talk, or the most

well-conceived diagram on a clipboard.

Sometimes the basketball just doesn’t go in.

Such was the case for Corona del Mar High boys squad Thursday in a 61-46

loss to host Morningside in the semifinals of the CIF Southern California

Division III Regionals.

The Sea Kings (23-8) missed their first 10 field-goal attempts, before

rallying to take a 27-23 halftime lead. But they connected on just 1 of

13 field-goal tries in the third quarter as the Monarchs (23-10) pulled

away to advance to Saturday’s regional final at the Forum two blocks

away.

“We got some open looks early, but they weren’t falling,” CdM Coach Paul

Orris said. “(The Monarchs) earned it and I take my hat off to them. But

I still think we could have beaten them if we make some shots.”

CdM, which netted 11 of its final 19 first-half field-goal attempts, shot

just better than 21% from the field after intermission (6 of 28). The

visitors also missed 19 of 25 three-point attempts (24%) and committed 18

turnovers.

Alec Hanson’s three-pointer with 5:42 left in the third quarter gave CdM

its final lead, 32-31, before Morningside extended a 13-0 run into the

final period.

A Kevin Hansen three ball with 6:48 remaining cut the deficit to 46-37,

but the Sea Kings got no closer. Morningside made 11 of its final 12 free

throws to keep CdM at bay.

Hansen finished with a team-high 14 points, eight rebounds and five

steals, but he was the only Sea King in double figures. He finished his

senior campaign with 581 points, the fourth-best single-season output in

the storied 38-year history of the program.

Seniors Hanson (nine points), Brooks Morris and Judd Hietbrink (eight

apiece) also chipped in offensively, but only Hietbrink (3 for 5) made

more shots than he missed.

Morningside senior guard Tracy Cathey scored 17 of his game-high 21,

including back-to-back three-pointers in the third quarter, to propel the

Monarchs within a victory of their third state title game in 10 years.

“We had a great year,” Orris said.

HIGH SCHOOL BOYS

CIF SoCal Regionals

Semifinal

Morningside 61, Corona del Mar 46

Score by Quarters

Corona del Mar 7 20 5 14 - 46

Morningside 11 12 19 19 - 61

Corona del Mar - Hansen 14, Hanson 9, Morris 8, Hietbrink 8, Shahangian

5, Patterson 2, Templeton 0, Snell 0, Bottom 0, Owen 0, Alshuler 0, Najar

0, Inman 0.

3-pt. goals - Hanson 3, Hansen 2, Shahangian 1.

Fouled out - Templeton.

Technicals - None.

Morningside - Cathey 21, Trotter 10, Young 10, Tatum 10, Campbell 4,

Calcote 4, Carr 2.

3-pt. goals - Cathey 2.

Fouled out - None.

Technicals - None.