4-A Basketball Playoffs : Irvine Win Puts It in First Round

Irvine High School advanced to the first round of the Southern Section 4-A boys’ basketball playoffs Wednesday by defeating Charter Oak, 71-51, at Irvine.

Irvine, a wild-card entry that finished third in the South Coast League, will play Glendale (20-4) of the Pacific League Friday at Glendale.

It looked as if Irvine would be able to coast into the first round because Charter Oak had trouble getting good shots. Irvine (13-13) used a man-to-man defense that pressured Charter Oak’s wings.

“In the first half I thought we played very good defense,” said Irvine Coach Steve Keith, who coached at Glendale for 10 years until this season. “I don’t think they have seen too much man in (the Sierra League).”

Charter Oak scored only 12 points in the first half. Irvine, however, had its offensive problems in the first quarter, but regrouped to take a 14-point halftime lead.

Then it looked as if Irvine was going to fold in the third quarter when Charter Oak went to a full-court press.

With the press taking its toll, Jeff Von Lutzow was able to help Charter Oak outscore Irvine, 20-12, in the quarter. Von Lutzow scored 10 points in the period.

“The third quarter was the worst defensive quarter we ever played,” Keith said. “We had five guys breaking down in every situation.”

The breakdown also came on offense.

Irvine had five turnovers that led to eight Charter Oak points and the Chargers were able to close to 26-21 with five minutes remaining in the quarter.

“We weren’t expecting a one-three-one press,” said Jerry Petersen, Irvine forward. “We should’ve expected it.

“My man was beating me, so I spent some time on the bench in the third quarter.”

His man was Von Lutzow, who led all scorers with 23 points.

But Petersen returned to score eight fourth-quarter points to help Irvine come back strong. Petersen finished with 12 points.

Irvine also was led in the fourth quarter by senior center Dave Ballantyne, who scored 12 in the period, mostly by getting behind Charter Oak’s press. Ballantyne led Irvine with 22 points.