ORANGE COUNTY PREP BASKETBALL : Angelus League : Servite Falls in Overtime

Anyone who went to Servite High School Friday night expecting a quality battle of the best of the rest in the Angelus League went home wondering when the varsity game started, as St. Paul bobbled to a 68-66 overtime victory over the Friars.

But Mike Dinneen, St. Paul coach, was satisfied. “We made a lot of turnovers, but we had already lost two games in overtime and we weren’t about to lose a third,” Dinneen said.

The Friars (5-3, 13-10), who made only 28 of 64 shots (44%) and 10 of 21 free throws (48%), were fortunate the game went into overtime. A key break came with 1:18 left when Servite got a four-point play after a technical foul called on the Swordsmen’s Matt Willig. After Brian Kenney made both free throws and Servite maintained possession, the Friars scored on Nick Marusich’s short bank shot. That brought them within one, 62-61.

After a St. Paul turnover, Tony Smalley was fouled with eight seconds left and had two free throws and a chance to win it. But he made only one to send the game into overtime.

St. Paul (4-4, 12-8) scored the first six points of the overtime to clinch the victory in a game they could have easily won in regulation.

“We didn’t deserve to win the way we played,” said Larry Walker, Servite coach. “We missed too many shots and we missed too many free throws and the defense was nonexistent. I’m very disappointed.”

Jeff Willis led the Swordsmen with 23 points, and Greg Willig added 20. Smalley scored 15 points for Servite.

Mater Dei 59, St. Bernard 50--LeRon Ellis scored 27 points and had 12 rebounds and Kevin Rembert added 13 points as the Monarchs (8-0, 22-1) got their 50th straight league victory over six seasons.

Ellis, who averaged 56% from the field before the game, had his worst shooting performance this season, making 10 of 28 shots.