San Diego High School Basketball : Fans Get Impatient, but Oceanside Wins, 35-29

Some fans may voice opposition to Oceanside Coach Don Montamble’s slow-down offense, but they can’t argue with the results.

Oceanside (1-0, 7-6) out-slowed visiting Ramona, 35-29, in an Avocado League game Friday night. It was Oceanside’s seventh victory in its last eight games. Ramona dropped to 1-1, 8-5.

With Oceanside leading, 13-8, at the half, some fans began to chant, “Let’s play some basketball.”

“Let them get mad at me,” Montamble said of the jeers. “We’re comfortable with this game and that’s the way it’s going to be.”

Oceanside never trailed, taking the lead for good, 3-2, on a free throw by Junior Seau.

The Pirates put the game away with a six-point outburst in the first 35 seconds of the second half. Darrell Noble hit two free throws for a 15-8 lead. A Sai Niu and pass to Noble under the basket made the score 17-8 and Seau completed the run with a steal and layup.

“Not to knock our kids, but they have so much athletic ability that they get caught up in the tempo,” Montamble said. “At times, they don’t have the patience.”

Noble led Oceanside with 14 points and Seau added 11. Chad Nelson paced Ramona with 12 points, including eight of the Bulldogs’ first 10.