SOUTHERN SECTION BOYS’ BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS : Burton Prefers to Watch, Not Play, Artesia

For a guy whose team is facing almost certain elimination, Fullerton High School basketball Coach Chris Burton seems to be having a pretty good time.

But then, what does he have to lose?

The Indians (13-12) play Artesia tonight in the quarterfinals of the Southern Section 4-A playoffs. The Pioneers (22-2) are the No. 1-seeded team and a unanimous choice of the division’s coaches to win the championship.

Artesia added credence to that prediction Friday, defeating La Puente, 112-28, in its second-round game.

“I understand it was a close game until they started playing,” Burton said. “These guys are horrible to play. But they’re fun to watch.”

The Pioneers are led by 6-foot-8 forward Ed O’Bannon, who is considered one of the top high school players in the nation. O’Bannon scored 21 points in only 16 minutes against La Puente.

“I’ve told my kids that O’Bannon was just flesh and blood like the rest of us,” Burton said. “Of course, I want them to run a couple of biological tests just to make sure.”

Burton knows of O’Bannon’s talents from experience. Last season, Artesia defeated Fullerton, 74-53, in the second round of the playoffs. The Indians were within six points with four minutes left in the third quarter, but were blown out in the fourth.

O’Bannon scored most of his 30 points in the final quarter.

“I think someone told O’Bannon in the fourth quarter that there was a game going on,” Burton said. “He destroyed us. He had one reverse dunk that our bench gave him a 9.4 on. We loved it.”

Burton has no plans or delusions about stopping O’Bannon this time around. Instead, the Indians will try to contain the Pioneers’ other players.

Fullerton will also slow the tempo to try to disrupt the Pioneers’ rhythm.

“That’s a problem for us because it runs contrary to the way we’ve played all season,” Burton said. “I mean we’re a team that takes about 36 three-pointers a game. But this week we’re working on making five passes before we shoot instead of one.”

Fullerton has won 12 of its last 14 games after a 1-10 start. Burton says it took the players some time to get used to the new offensive system he installed during the summer.

Fullerton played Los Alamitos, Ocean View and Trabuco Hills in their first three games, which also contributed to the poor start.

“We had a real confidence problem,” Burton said. “We were learning new stuff against some very good teams. We started to get it back in the Chino tournament.”

The Indians are led by Rene Arias, who is averaging 19 points a game. Procopia Misa and Ladd Brunner also average in double figures.

However, Fullerton doesn’t have a player taller than 6-2.

“We start a couple of guys who together aren’t as tall as O’Bannon, so it’s going to be tough,” Burton said.

In other 4-A action:

La Mirada (18-8) vs. Kennedy (18-6) at Western High School--Fighting Irish forward Jim Barker is averaging 22 points and nine rebounds a game. Kennedy will need strong games from center Jermaine Galloway (6-7 1/2) and forward Billy Williams (6-5) against a tall La Mirada team. The Matadores are led by 6-4 guard Brian Tiller (13.0 ppg) and 6-8 center Jason Pietsch (12.7 ppg).

In the 5-AA:

Lynwood (28-1) vs. Saddleback (18-11) at Century High School--The Knights, the No. 1-seeded team, were nearly upset by Alhambra Friday. Ernest Killum made a three-point basket with three seconds left to give Lynwood a 43-41 victory. Killum, who averages 30 points a game, scored 27 of the Knights’ points. Saddleback upset Millikan, 65-61, Friday. The Roadrunners were led by Andre MacFarlane, who scored 25 points.

In the 5-A:

Santa Barbara (22-6) vs. Mater Dei (27-1) at Ocean View High School--The Monarchs have trailed at halftime in each of their first two playoff games. However, defense and clutch shooting have kept Mater Dei alive. David Boyle leads a balanced scoring attack. The Monarchs will need a strong game from 6-8 center Derek Stone, who will be matched against 6-7 Matt Purdy.

Cajon (23-3) vs. El Toro (21-5) at Laguna Hills High School--Cajon defeated Marina Friday behind the play of point guard Amar Washington, who scored 22 points. El Toro is led by guard Rob Johnson, who averages 21 points a game.

Loyola (20-3) vs. Ocean View (16-10) at Fountain Valley High School--The Seahawks will need good games from their inside players against a tall Loyola team. The Cubs are led by 6-11 Ryan Jamison but have three other players who are 6-6 or taller. Ocean View will counter with Marcel TenBerge (6-8) and Darren Ernest (6-6).

In the 4-AA

Tustin (20-7) vs. Edison (19-8) at Marina High School--Tustin is coming off a 56-51 upset of Mission Viejo, the division’s fourth-seeded team. Forward Thomas Clayton, who has played well in the playoffs, scored 23 points in a first-round victory over Sunny Hills and 20 against the Diablos. Bill Martineau (6-10) and Brandon Jessie (6-4) give Edison a size advantage. Tustin has only one player taller than 6-2.

In the 3-AA:

Western (20-5) vs. Estancia (17-9) at Corona del Mar High School: The game features two of Orange County’s top point guards. Sam Sabbara of Western is averaging 23 points a game and Agustin Heredia is averaging 19 points.

Servite (15-10) vs. Centennial (12-11) at Dominguez High School--Servite used its size to defeat Trabuco Hills Friday. Sophomore forward Alan Anders (6-4) scored 17 points and senior center Steve Marusich scored 14. Centennial, which upset fourth-seeded Foothill Friday, also plays a power game. The Apaches are led by center Damu Harvey (6-5).

Culver City (16-9) vs. Brea-Olinda (22-5) at Sonora High School--As Keith Walker goes, so goes the Wildcats. Walker scored 31 points Friday to help Brea-Olinda advance. Culver City is coming off a 93-66 victory over Newport Harbor. Eric Campbell and Eric Brown each had 21 points against Newport Harbor.

In the 3-A:

Corona del Mar (17-9) vs. Northview (17-6) at Covina High School--The Sea Kings defeated St. Paul, 77-60, outscoring the Swordsman, 19-0, at one point. Jeff Jackson, Warren Johnson and Jeff Paulsen lead a balanced offensive attack. Northview is led by sophomore center Eric Whatree (6-5), who is averaging 20 points and 13 rebounds a game.

Sherman Oaks Notre Dame (14-10) vs. Rancho Alamitos (21-3)--The return of forward David Green sparked the Vaqueros Friday. Green, who injured his thumb two weeks ago, scored 12 points in an 86-58 victory over South Pasadena. Notre Dame is led by guard Bob DaCoursi, who scored 22 points in Friday’s 99-74 victory over Moorpark, and 6-5 forward Paul Hewitt, who has returned from an ankle injury.

In the 2-AA:

Tehachapi (19-3) vs. Whittier Christian (14-11) at Brea-Olinda High School--Rueben Oronoz averages 17.1 points a game and Joe Kostantarakis is averaging 15.7 for Whittier Christian. Tehachapi has four starters who average in double figures, led by guard Matt McHolm (16.2).

Verbum Dei (12-12) vs. Santa Margarita (14-11) at Christ College Irvine--Dan Bathey, a 6-5 guard, averages 17.1 points a game for Santa Margarita. Bathey scored 28 in the Eagles’ 82-68 victory over Palo Verde Friday.

In the 2-A:

Bishop (15-9) vs. Laguna Beach (20-5) at San Clemente High School--The top-seeded Artists are seeking their first championship in 27 years. Dain Blanton and Josh Borella lead a balanced offensive attack.

Orange Lutheran (16-10) vs. El Segundo (14-13) at West Torrance High School--Daryl Cole is the Lancers’ top offensive threat. Cole scored 32 points in Friday’s 84-61 victory over Western Christian.

In the Small Schools Division:

Pilgrim (18-2) at St. Margaret’s (19-4)--Ryan Westendorf averages 25 points and 19 rebounds a game for St. Margaret’s, the No. 2-seeded team.