Boys’ 2-A Basketball Playoffs : Keefe in Middle of Woodbridge’s Victory over La Canada

Adam Keefe scored 26 points to lead Woodbridge High School to a 74-60 victory over La Canada Friday in a Southern Section 2-A boys’ basketball quarterfinal at Irvine High School.

Woodbridge (21-5) will play San Bernardino in the Southern Section semifinals at a site to be determined today. San Bernardino defeated Lompoc, 81-67, Friday.

As La Canada (25-3) left quietly from its locker room, only one voice could be heard: “It was the first time we really got beat.”

Keefe was the focal point of the game from the start. La Canada’s defense sagged on him early, and Keefe passed to his guards, who scored from long range to spread out the Spartan defense.

“Our offense is no secret,” said Bill Shannon, Woodbridge coach. “We take three-pointers, but our No. 1 priority is to get it to the red-headed guy.”

That’s Keefe, who scored 12 of his game-high 26 points in the first half and had a 8 of his game-high 11 rebounds.

“They (opposing teams) haven’t learned yet,” Keefe said. “When they sag in on me, I pass it out so we can get three-pointers.”

Woodbridge scored 15 points on three-pointers by Rob Lee and Robb Lee . Rob Lee scored six of his eight points on three-pointers, Robb Lee scored 9 of his 15.

“The three-point line has really helped us this year,” Shannon said. “Last year, we were a three-post offense. This year we don’t have the height.”

Woodbridge won the state championship last year with a record of 28-5.”

After Woodbridge jumped to a 14-2 lead, Greg Givens keyed a La Canada rally that pulled the Spartans within three points. He scored five straight points to put La Canada at 14-11 with just over two minutes remaining in the first quarter.

That was as close as La Canada would get.

Woodbridge scored the first nine points of the second quarter to pull away from La Canada.

Chad Givens, who was matched against the taller Keefe (6-feet 9-inches), had difficulty scoring 14 points for La Canada. Greg Givens led La Canada with 21 points, and Chris Jones scored 13.

“He (Chad Givens) is a real good player,” Keefe said. “He went through a span there (in the third quarter) where he was unstoppable.”

But the rest of the Spartans were not as effective. Woodbridge used an extended zone to force La Canada into hurried shots.

“We had a great scouting report,” Keefe said.

Shannon agreed: “John Parbst (freshman-sophomore coach) came back with really good information.”

La Canada also had trouble getting second shot attempts because Woodbridge was controlling the backboards. Keefe had a game-high 11 rebounds and Chris Deibert had 7.