Boys’ Basketball Roundup : Defense Keys Ocean View’s 52-38 Victory

Ocean View High School forced Huntington Beach to try something new Saturday--outside shooting.

The Seahawks went to a 2-3 zone, halting the Oilers’ inside game and limiting them to nine field goals in a 52-38 Sunset League victory before a capacity crowd at Ocean View.

Huntington Beach (11-10, 7-2) made nine of 53 shots (17%) and didn’t score from the field until almost two minutes into the second quarter.

Ocean View (16-6, 6-2) kept the ball away from Jeff Long, who usually goes inside for easy layups.

“Huntington Beach is excellent inside with their short baskets,” Ocean View Coach Jim Harris said. “The idea was to not let that happen.”

Ocean View took a quick 12-3 lead in the first quarter, but at halftime, the Seahawks’ lead was cut to two points, 23-21, thanks to the Oilers’ 11 of 14 free throw shooting.

But Ocean View opened up a lead in the third quarter and coasted to the victory in the fourth.

“We just didn’t put the ball in the basket,” Huntington Beach Coach Roy Miller said. “I’ve never had a team shoot that cold.

“I don’t know whether to attribute it to their defense or the fact that everyone decided to be cold.

“I told the team that the pressure was on Ocean View. I told them to relax and have fun. But I was surprised at how tight we were.”

Ocean View didn’t have a great shooting day either, connecting on 18 of 46 attempts for 39%.

But the Seahawks dominated the boards and got steady performances from Darren Ernst (11 points, 16 rebounds) and Greg Evans (game-high 15 points).

Joey Kijewski led Huntington Beach with 11 points.

LARRY NISTA

Edison 48, Marina 46--Steve Thobe sank two free throws with 30 seconds left to put the Chargers up by six points as Edison (12-12, 5-3) withstood a late rally by Marina (2-6 in league play). Sean Hafelrig of Marina led all scorers with 13 points.

Fountain Valley 66, Westminster 40--Mike Cook scored 15 points and pulled in 10 rebounds to lead visiting Fountain Valley (17-5, 5-3). Don Shaw was Westminster’s leading scorer with 14.

In Olympic League boys’ basketball:

Orange Lutheran 83, Valley Christian 78--Pat Bagatourian led host Orange Lutheran (19-3, 12-0) with 30 points and teammate Daryl Cole added 24. Mike Blackstead was the leading scorer for Valley Christian (7-5, 16-6).

Whittier Christian 99, Whitney 70--Whittier Christian had everybody score in a romp over Whitney at Sonora High School. Matt Riehm led the way with 27 points and Paul McKinley added 21. Whittier Christian is 16-6, 9-3. Whitney (1-10 in league play) was led by Adrian Keller with 17 points.

Ontario Christian 76, Capistrano Valley Christian 60--Jason Rodarmel led Capistrano Valley Christian (5-16, 2-10) with 15 points but it was not enough as the Eagles lost at home.

Brethren 55, Santa Margarita 50--Dan Bathey led Santa Margarita (7-14, 2-10) with 18 points.