SOUTHERN SECTION BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS : Roundup

Tustin 75, Buena Park 55--Playing their first year in the strong Sea View league has made Tustin a better team, and they proved the point Friday evening as the Tillers blasted Buena Park in a 3-A first round playoff game at Tustin.

The Tillers who finished second in the league to Corona del Mar made their first playoff apperance since they lost in the finals in 1981. The Coyotes have been knocked out the last three seasons in the first round.

“It’s nice to win a game by twenty points after playing in our league,” said Tustin Coach Tim O’Brien. “We had a good end-to-end effort tonight, but the difference was with the way Rog Middleton had his way in the middle.”

Middleton, who led all scorers with 27 points including 11 of 16 from the field, was a factor. But forward Eric Hermann was the difference, hitting seven consecutive shots in the third quarter. Hermann finished with 14 points.

Buena Park jumped out to a first quarter lead, 20-18, but the Tillers completely shut down the Coyotes inside game in the second quarter, limiting them to only five points and taking complete control at the half, 38-25.

Tustin put the game away early in the second half and led by as many as 21 points early in the fourth period. Buena Park’s forward duo of Kevin Graddy and Gary Hunter were not spectacular, but both scored 18 points.

The victory moves Tustin (20-5) into the second round Tuesday evening where they will host Morningside who defeated Bonita 86-67.