SOUTHERN SECTION 3-A BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS : Roundup : Corona del Mar’s Change in Tactics Stops Laguna Hills

Just about every player for Corona del Mar ended up trying unsuccessfully to help Jeff Clark and Warren Johnson guard Laguna Hills’ high-scoring Jeff Sheff. Sheff picked apart the Sea King defense in the first half, scoring when open and passing to teammates when double-teamed.

It wasn’t until the third quarter when Corona del Mar (17-9) stopped lending a helping hand that the Sea Kings pulled away to defeat the Hawks, 69-61, in the second round of a Southern Section 3-A basketball playoff game Friday night at Corona del Mar.

Sheff scored 13 points in the first half, nine from the free-throw line. Teammates Jason Thompson and Pat Nelson scored 10 each in the half as Sea King players tried to keep an eye on Sheff.

In the second half, Sheff added 15 points, but his teammates combined for only 11 points.

The first quarter ended tied at 14. With about 5 minutes to play in the half, Corona del Mar went on an 11-2 run to take a 29-22 lead on the strength of Jeff Jackson’s two baskets and a Matt Cwiertnia three-point shot.

But Matt Herrington picked up his third foul and left the game with about 3 minutes left in the first half and the Sea Kings went cold.

Laguna Hills got back-to-back fast-break buckets and a three-point shot from Nelson as the Hawks went on a run of their own, outscoring Corona del Mar, 13-2, to lead, 35-31, at halftime.

At halftime, Corona del Mar made some adjustments. The Sea Kings came out in the third quarter with a more deliberate offense and a less-helpful defense. The adjustments paid off as the Sea Kings scored the first eight points and outscored the Hawks, 18-9, to lead, 49-44, at the end of the third quarter.

“Sheff is a great player,” Corona del Mar Coach Paul Orris said. “We were trying to double-team him and he was just very clever, just dumping the ball off. When he goes up, he’s off balance and we were coming over to help and leaving all their guys open inside. I said, ‘Hey! If he’s off balance, let him take the shot.’ ”

Another key was the play of Clark who came off the bench to guard Sheff. “Jeff Clark going in not only helped us defensively, but it gave us a lot of leadership.” Orris said.

Sheff did his best to keep the Hawks in the game. He converted a three-point play to start the fourth quarter to bring his team within two, 49-47.

But Jackson countered with a three-point play of his own. Sheff’s steal and coast-to-coast layup brought the Hawks within one, 53-52, but Herrington countered with another three-point play to make the score 56-52. Cwiertnia took control down the stretch, scoring seven points in the last 3 minutes to help Corona del Mar hang on for the victory. Herrington came out of a mild shooting slump to lead Corona del Mar with 22 points.

Estancia 65, Norte Vista 62--Augustine Heredia made two free throws with 9 seconds left, as the Eagles rallied in the third quarter at Norte Vista. Estancia trailed, 38-32, at halftime but outscored the Braves, 19-7, in the third quarter. Mike Curtis (24 points) scored six points during the quarter and Heredia (16 points) and Tim Kjar (17 points) each had four. Paul McDaniel had five steals as the Eagles’ defense shut down the Braves (15-11). Mario Nava scored 25 points for Norte Vista, 17 in the first half. However, he was held scoreless in the third quarter by Heredia.

Brea-Olinda 61, San Dimas 56--Rod Stewart made a pair of free throws with about 30 seconds left to break a 56-56 tie for visiting Brea (21-7). Keith Walker scored 27 points and was 12 of 15 on free throws for Brea. He also had 14 rebounds. Matt Chamberlain scored 14 and Marc Shaw 12 for Brea.