Sea View League : Fryer Spectacular in CdM Victory

Corona del Mar High School forward Jeff Fryer knows the feeling. It’s that peculiar little urge in him that cries out for the basketball--anywhere, anytime. Once in hand, Fryer shoots the ball--anywhere, anytime.

He scored 36 points--on shots ranging from sublime to spectacular--to lead the Sea Kings to a 71-59 Sea View League over Woodbridge Friday night at Woodbridge.

The win gave first-place Corona del Mar (10-2, 20-4) a two-game lead over Woodbridge (8-4, 19-6) with two games remaining.

Fryer scored on layups and 20-foot jump shots. He scored leaning forward and falling back. He made free throws and followed missed shots.

“Sometimes, I can just feel it,” Fryer said. “We were really pumped up for this game. Right from the start, I wanted the ball.”

It was Fryer who made an 18-foot jump shot with 6:55 left in the first half to break the game’s last tie. He then scored three straight baskets in a minute and a half and the Sea Kings pulled out to a 22-14 lead.

After that, the game was never close. The Sea Kings had a 32-20 lead at halftime. They led by as many as 20 points in the third quarter. A 2-2-1 zone press was instrumental in building the big lead in the third. The press caused four consecutive Woodbridge turnovers early in the quarter.

“We wanted to do something that would get them out of their tempo,” said Jack Errion, Corona del Mar Coach.

Fryer’s performance is really no surprise. His 27.6 points per game average leads all prep scorers in Orange County.

“This guy is a player,” said Errion. “He was second in the county in scoring last season, and when he ends up leading the county this season, everyone is surprised. I don’t know why. He is a basketball player. When he’s on, like tonight, he’s awesome.”

Woodbridge decided to defend Fryer straight up, one-on-one. Even though Fryer scored 34 points in the first game between the teams. That game was won by the Warriors, 57-56, when Mike Murphy made a jump shot with four seconds left.

The unenviable task of guarding Fryer fell to Murphy this time around. Murphy’s own offensive game seemed to suffer as he exhausted himself attempting to deny Fryer the ball.

Murphy came into the game averaging 14.5. He ended up with two points, and those came with a minute left in the third quarter and Corona del Mar well ahead.

On those occasions when Fryer was not scoring, his teammates had no trouble picking up the slack. Doug Green had 14 points, most from the outside. Mark McGrath added 10 and Tod Bearbower had eight.

Woodbridge got a strong performance from forward Vince Bryan who scored 20 points. Sophomore center Adam Keefe added 17.

But, this game belonged to Fryer.

“I think we let down when we played them in our gym,” he said. “I don’t think people expected us to win so easy, but I’m not surprised. We’re playing the best we have all season. I think we’re going to go far.”

Just call it a feeling.

Saddleback 55, Newport Harbor 48--Bryant Walton scored 20 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and had 6 assists to lead the Roadrunners past the Sailors at Saddleback. Joe Deal added 13 points for Saddleback (6-6, 11-11). Wes Porell led the Sailors (5-7, 11-11) with 15 points.

Estancia 63, Laguna Beach 58--The Eagles made 17 of 20 free throw attempts to win this game at home. Estancia (6-6, 13-10) outscored Laguna Beach (7-5, 13-9) at the foul line, 17-6. Even with the loss, Laguna Beach remains in sole possession of third place. Fernie Trejo led Estancia scorers with 16 points. Coby Naess led all scorers with 25 points, and he had 11 rebounds.

University 67, Costa Mesa 48--Lasse Glassen scored 18 points and Steve Stolzoff added 17 as the Trojans (6-6, 10-12) won easily at Costa Mesa (0-12, 1-18).