SOUTHERN SECTION 5-A BOYS’ BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS : Ocean View Shoots Down Hart

Hart High School’s inside game was no match for Ocean View’s outside game Tuesday night in the opening round of the Southern Section 5-A Division playoffs at Huntington Beach.

Ocean View made seven three-point shots, including a game-clincher by freshman Jimmy Harris with 3:21 remaining, and defeated Hart, 76-67.

Ocean View (15-10) overcame a 33-31 halftime deficit by scoring 26 points in the third quarter and advanced to the second round Friday night against Moreno Valley at a site to be determined today. Moreno Valley defeated Dana Hills, 87-75, to advance.

Hart (18-8) used a 1-3-1 zone defense and failed to adjust to Ocean View’s perimeter shooters, who repeatedly shot uncontested three-point shots.

“They didn’t do anything that surprised us, we just didn’t adjust to their shooters,” Hart Coach Greg Herrick said.

Forwards Marty Downen (18 points) and Keith Halcovich (19 points) gave Ocean View problems through three quarters but Hart appeared to tire in the fourth quarter. Herrick played his starters most of the game and the lack of depth appeared to hurt Hart down the stretch.

“Their forwards took our frontline apart,” Ocean View Coach Jim Harris said. “They made us look as if we never played defense before. But yeah, I thought they got tired at the end of the game.”

Hart averages 79 points per game and it showed it’s also explosive, scoring 11 consecutive points at the end of the second quarter to go ahead, 33-31, at halftime. The score was tied seven times in the third quarter and Hart didn’t miss a shot until 3:30 remained in the quarter.

But Ocean View utilized a four-corner delay game to slow the tempo of the game and Hart had problems recovering. Ocean View held a 61-56 lead with 6:09 remaining when guard Greg Evans stole a pass and scored on a layup and Hart never got closer than seven points.

“We made them come out of the zone and play us in the fourth quarter, and that turned the game around,” Harris said. “I wasn’t worried when we were down at halftime. I figure anytime we’re only down by two or three points at halftime, we’re going to win.”