San Diego High School Basketball : University City Defeats Clairemont in League

University City defeated upset visiting Clairemont High, 55-46, in a pivotal City Western League basketball game Wednesday.

Clairemont (6-4, 16-7) lost its chances for a league title, but will advance to the playoffs as the second-place team. Kearny, which beat University of San Diego High School Wednesday, won the league title and a playoff berth. University City, well . . .

The Centurions (5-5, 9-10) are tied for third with La Jolla. University City is hoping for an at-large berth, to be decided by the San Diego Section’s basketball advisory committee Saturday. If University City gains an at-large berth, it will be its first trip to the playoffs.

“After going 0-21 two years ago and winning only four games last year, who would have thought this team would have a chance for the playoffs by now?” University City Coach Tom Medigovich asked.

The Centurions, who have beaten Kearny and La Jolla, and two wins against Clairemont, have solid chances of gaining an at-large berth.

Wednesday, University City played with intensity, opening the second half with six unanswered points to lead, 27-18. But back-to-back fast breaks midway through the third period sparked Clairemont. The Chieftans tied the score, 33-33, in the closing seconds of the period.

Led by the aggressive inside play of Alan Peller (a 6-foot, 135-pound guard), University City took control of the game two minutes into the final period, scoring 10 straight points, to lead, 45-37.

“I tried to take the middle,” said Peller, who had four points and a key assist during the 10-point surge. “I felt confident going inside and fortunately the ball was going in.”

Mike Weaver scored 12 points and Peller added 11 to pace University City.

CITY WESTERN LEAGUE

Kearny 73, USDHS 63--Kearny won the league title with an easy home victory. The Komets ((7-3, 18-6) led by as many as 28 points in the fourth quarter. Randy Robinson scored 23 points to lead Kearny. Dion Osborne scored 16 and Tim Garlin added 14 for the Komets. USDHS (4-6, 7-15) was led by James Wilson’s 17 points.

La Jolla 48, Mission Bay 36--Sean Rodgers had 12 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists. La Jolla (5-5, 16-9) outscored Mission Bay 16-4 in the second quarter to take a 28-11 lead. Mission Bay (3-7, 8-12) was led by Rick Hurley’s eight points.

CITY CENTRAL LEAGUE

Crawford 63, Christian 51-- Crawford made 12 of 14 free throws in the final quarter to preserve the upset. Dean Wolfe had 14 points and James Henry added 12 points and 7 rebounds for Crawford (4-6, 7-15) which outscored Christian, 42-28, in the second half. Doug Lake scored 14 points for Christian (6-4, 16-8) and Mike Hausam and Darrell White added 10 each. Christian and St. Augustine finish the season tied for second place.

St. Augustine 62, Hoover 61-- Mark Strawbridge scored a layup off an inbounds pass from Charlie Applegate with nine seconds left to give St. Augustine its first lead and the victory. Hoover’s Michael Walker had a last-second shot disallowed because it was ruled that the buzzer sounded before he released the shot. St. Augustine rallied from deficits of 23-13 and 38-24. Applegate led St. Augustine (6-4, 15-7) with 23 points and 16 rebounds. Doug Carter added 16 points and Strawbridge had 10. For Hoover (5-5, 10-15) Walker had 17 points, Tyrone Bell 15 and John Roots 13.

Lincoln 96, San Diego 68--Five players scored in double figures for Lincoln. Two sophomores led sixth-ranked Lincoln. Joe Temple had 28 points and 16 rebounds and Aaron Wilhite had 19 points and 14 rebounds. San Diego (0-10, 0-17) was led by Andy Swindall’s 20 points and Anthony Wines’ 17.

CITY EASTERN LEAGUE

Madison 63, Patrick Henry 46--Jeff Alexander scored 13 points to lead Madison (7-3,17-7), which led throughout the game. The victory clinched second place and a playoff berth for Madison.

Mira Mesa 78, Serra 50--Serra led 29-28 at the half against No. 7 Mira Mesa. But the Marauders scored the first 12 points of the second half and outscored Serra, 25-8, in the third quarter. Tal Miller scored 18 points and Jim Nawrocki 14 for Mira Mesa. Ray Rowe added 13 points for the Marauders (6-4, 18-6), which finished third in the league. James Upton scored 14 points to lead Serra (0-10, 2-21).

Morse 71, Point Loma 61--Chris Prather scored 14 points and Guy Henry added 13 points and 15 rebounds to lead top-ranked Morse, which had already clinched the league title. Morse (9-1, 19-2) outscored Point Loma, 26-15, in the third quarter to take command of the game. Jeff Johnson led all scorers with 25 points and Olrando Hill added 15 for Point Loma (4-6, 11-14).

METRO CONFERENCE

Chula Vista 57, Montgomery 45--Doug Sallee scored 12 points and Scott Matney and Tony Hyner added 10 apiece to lead Chula Vista (6-6, 14-11). Kevin Crawford scored 12 points to lead Montgomery (3-9, 4-15)

Sweetwater 59, Bonita Vista 57--Brent Lawrence scored 16 points and Maylon Williams added 13 points and 18 rebounds to pace Sweetwater (11-1, 14-9), which had previously clinched the league title. Bonita Vista (6-6, 9-13) is tied for third with Chula Vista. Sweetwater held Bonita Vista to seven points in the third period.

Hilltop 62, Mar Vista 44--Bryan Brooker had 24 points and 9 rebounds and Mark Kirksen added 16 points and 14 rebounds to pace Hilltop (7-5, 14-12), which gained sole possession of second place in the league. Mar Vista is 3-9 and 6-18.

Briefly--Castle Park 86, Southwest 58.

GIRLS

CENTRAL LEAGUE

Crawford 55, Christian 32--Laura Hatcher scored 15 points and Karla Salmi added 10 as Crawford won at home. Crawford (4-6) learned earlier in the day that it had to forfeit six City Central League games because of the use of an ineligible player. Crawford thus loses its perfect record and an automatic berth in the playoffs. Its only hope for post season play is if it is selected at the seeding meeting Saturday as one of the four at large teams.

“We just want a chance now,” Crawford Coach Jeff Olivero said. “We’re hoping they (the seeding committee) take the circumstance into account and give us an at large berth. Obviously we’re one of the best teams in the county.”

Crawford’s only loss in 24 games was to Point Loma.