BOYS’ ROUNDUP : Verdum Dei’s Press Flattens Santa Margarita Bid, 56-52

Verbum Dei High School spoiled Santa Margarita’s upset bid with a full-court press in the second half in a 56-52 victory in the quarterfinals of the 2-AA playoffs Tuesday night at Christ College Irvine.

Santa Margarita, playing with no seniors against a team with a strong playoff record, led, 31-22, early in the third quarter.

But Verbum Dei’s press sparked a 19-2 run to take a 41-33 lead.

Santa Margarita cut its deficit to 41-39 on Hayes Ferry’s two free throws with 4:09 remaining in the fourth quarter, but Verbum Dei, led by Mark Mitchell, pushed the lead to 53-42 lead.

Mike Carpenter’s three-point basket and Jeff Layne’s inside scoring helped Santa Margarita close the gap to 56-52 in the final minute.

Santa Margarita (14-13) was led by Layne’s 15 points and five rebounds. Dan Bathey and Carpenter added 13 and 12 points, respectively. Mitchell and Zellie Hudson led Verbum Dei (13-12) with 20 and 15 points, respectively.