SOUTHERN SECTION 5-A BOYS’ BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS : Boyd Steals Show as Marina Routs Diamond Bar, 94-64

They crowded around Marina High School point guard Travis Boyd like never before Tuesday night.

That’s the way it is when you score 38 points, which is what Boyd did in Marina’s 94-64 victory over Diamond Bar in the first round of the Southern Section 5-A playoffs at Marina.

The well-wishers came at Boyd in waves.

Once he shook hands with the Diamond Bar players, Boyd’s teammates wanted to give him five and slap his back.

Then came Boyd’s classmates, streaming out of the bleachers, to offer congratulations. Someone hoisted Boyd on his shoulders as others cheered.

Finally, a group of reporters wanted answers. Ever have a game like this before, someone asked.

“Once,” said Boyd, who made nine three-pointers. “In a summer league game a long time ago. This feels good though.”

It should. It’s not often someone can upstage Cherokee Parks, Marina’s 6-foot-10 center.

Parks had 26 points, nine rebounds and six blocks, normally headline-making numbers, but not on this night.

By halftime, Boyd and Parks each had 19 points and the Vikings led, 44-34.

Boyd put the game out of reach to start the third quarter. He made a three-pointer. After Sean Haselrig, who had 12 points, made a short jump shot on the fast break, Boyd made a layup on the break, then followed with another layup a moment later. And suddenly, Marina’s lead had grown to 54-34 with 6:16 left in the quarter.

The Vikings’ lead grew to 72-47 by the end of the quarter, reaching 90-54 before Marina Coach Steve Popovich cleared the bench.

“They played zone on us and we’re a good shooting team” Popovich said. “We’re shooting (about) 54% for the season. Once they started collapsing on Cherokee, that opened things up for Travis.

“That’s exactly what we need him to do: Be a factor and take some of the load off Cherokee.”

Marina (18-8) advances to play Cajon in the second round Friday.

Diamond Bar (15-11) was led by Damian Hyams, who had 21 points, and Chad Matz, who had 14.