HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS : Santa Clara the Lone Team in Semifinals

And then there was one.

Santa Clara is the lone Ventura County boys’ basketball team to survive Tuesday night’s quarterfinal round in the Southern Section playoffs. The Saints routed Chaminade, 78-42, to advance to Friday’s 2-AA Division semifinals. They will play Tehachapi at Ventura College at 7:30 p.m.

The quarterfinals weren’t as kind to several other area teams, however.

Highly-regarded Simi Valley proved no match for Long Beach Poly in 5-AA action, falling 74-59. The Pioneers, led by Kenny Hood’s 24 points, finished the season 19-9.

In the 4-A, Eric Thomas closed out a successful career at Rio Mesa in a 68-48 loss to Burroughs of Burbank. Thomas, headed to New Mexico, scored a game-high 15 points to improve his school-record career total to 1,754 points. Rio Mesa finished 14-15.

Nordhoff (16-9) was the other area team that lost Tuesday. The Rangers dropped an 87-68 decision to Banning in 2-AA play. Tim Sebek led Nordhoff with 22 points.

It comes as no surprise, though, that Santa Clara is the lone survivor. The Saints are the top-seeded team in their division with a record of 22-0, including a second-round playoff win over Pius X (104-69).

Santa Clara won the 2-A championship and Division IV state titles last year.

One big reason for Santa Clara’s success is the play of 6-foot-5 senior guard Shon Tarver, who is averaging 32 points a game. Tarver, who has yet to select a college, has been particularly hot in the playoffs, scoring 35 in the victory over Chaminade.

Santa Clara will be facing an experienced Tehachapi team, which won the Desert-Inyo Large League. The Warriors (20-3) had a bye in the first round, defeated Santa Ynez (90-74) in the second round, and turned back Whittier Christian (72-65) in the quarterfinals.

Tehachapi is small but well balanced with four players averaging in double figures. Guard Matt McHolm (16.2 points game) is the floor leader.

“We know Santa Clara is a very good team,” Tehachapi Coach Steve Walker said. “Tarver is a legitimate Division I player, and Coach (Lou) Cvijanovich has a record that speaks for itself. They’re well disciplined and sound fundamentally.”

The Santa Clara-Tehachapi winner will face the Verbum Dei-Banning victor for the championship next Saturday at the Sports Arena.