PREP WEDNESDAY: SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA BASKETBALL REGIONALS : Orange Lutheran Gets Good Read on 72-64 Victory

Orange Lutheran Coach Jerry Simmons on Tuesday proved that information is indeed one of today’s most valuable commodities.

After skimming through the local newspaper that covers El Cajon Christian High School, Simmons made a couple of adjustments that paid off in a 72-64 victory in the Division IV Southern California Regional boys’ quarterfinals at Granite Hills High School.

“According to the local paper,” Simmons said, “they were going to stop (Daryl) Cole. So we just opened up someone else.”

That someone else turned out to be junior forward Kent Dowding, a nine points-per-game scorer. Dowding scored 27.

Another key was the fact that Christian’s David Jeremiah, who holds two San Diego Section three-point records, was held to two points in the first half.

The Patriots missed their first four free throws and also missed the front ends of three one-and-one situations.

While the Patriots were missing free throws and turning the ball over 13 times in the first half, the Lancers were building a 13-point halftime lead.

But in the second half, Christian stormed back to make a game of it, pulling to within four four times late in the game. In fact, the Patriots were knocking at the door with just 33 seconds left when center Darrell White made a four-footer to make it 66-62.

Pat Bagatourian had 16 points for the Lancers and Jason Neben 14.

Cole, who averages 22, managed 13.