SOUTHERN SECTION BOYS’ BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS : El Toro Looking for Long-Distance Knockout Against No. 1 Mater Dei

Tim Travers, El Toro High School’s ever-optimistic boys’ basketball coach, said his team will “give the fans the best Buster Douglas we’ve got” when the Chargers meet top-seeded Mater Dei at 7:30 tonight in the semifinals of the Southern Section 5-A playoffs at Ocean View High.

El Toro (22-5) is making its first appearance in the semifinals. Mater Dei (28-1) has advanced to the final four in six of the past seven years under Coach Gary McKnight.

Mater Dei will test its inside strength, size and depth against the three-point shooting of El Toro. The Chargers have attempted 440 three-point baskets, making 173.

Junior forward Rob Johnson leads El Toro’s long-range gunners, making 70 of 195 three-pointers. Guards Kevin Martin (45 of 104), Tim Casarez (27 of 62) and Dan Somers (28 of 68) also have shown a penchant for the three-pointer.

“I know they’ll try and shut us down outside, but we’re not going to change our game like Santa Barbara did Tuesday against them,” Travers said.

Santa Barbara tried to slow the tempo against Mater Dei but was woefully intimidated and fell, 51-31, in the quarterfinals.

Travers regards Mater Dei highly.

“This is the best Mater Dei team since Gary’s been there,” Travers said. “They’re so precise in everything they do. And there’s no question this is his best defensive team.”

Five players average 9.7 points or more for Mater Dei, with guard David Boyle (14.6 points) and forward Andy Karich (9.7 points and 5.2 rebounds) leading the attack. Karich was named the most valuable player in the Angelus League.

In the 4-AA Division:

Edison (20-8) vs. Compton (21-6) at Dominguez High--Edison had a height advantage in playoff victories over Woodbridge, Agoura and Tustin but faces an even matchup against Compton. The teams met in the Irvine World-News tournament in December and Compton won, 64-61.

Sophomore forward Brandon Jessie (16.2 points, 6.4 rebounds) and 6-foot-10 senior center Bill Martineau (13.3 points and 6.3 rebounds) lead Edison. Forward James Williams (12 points and 10.5 rebounds) and 6-7 center Darnell Patterson (11.3 points and 6.8 rebounds) lead Compton. Patterson didn’t play in Compton’s quarterfinal game against Riverside Poly after missing the bus.

In the 3-AA Division:

Estancia (18-9) vs. Lompoc (21-5) at Cabrillo High--Forward Mike Haas made five of six three-point attempts in Estancia’s 68-57 victory over Western in the quarterfinals. Guard Agustin Heredia leads Estancia, averaging 19.8 points and 5.2 assists a game. Sophomore Matt Fuerbringer had 18 points and five blocked shots against Western. Coach Tim O’Brien calls Fuerbringer “a mini Kevin McHale.”

Lompoc’s tallest starter is 6-3, but the Braves scored the biggest upset of the playoffs when they beat top-seeded Morningside, 83-80, Tuesday. Forward Maurice White (17.7 points and 13.1 rebounds) and point guard Dane Jeter (10.2 points and 5.5 assists) lead Lompoc.

Servite (16-10) vs. Culver City (17-9) at Inglewood High--Center Steve Marusich, a 6-7 senior, has scored 56 points in three playoff games to spark Servite. Coach Richard Smith has led Servite to the semifinals in his rookie season, matching former Coach Larry Walker’s best effort in 18 years.

Culver City upset second-seeded Brea-Olinda, 94-78, Tuesday. Guard Scott Campbell made two three-pointers to open the game and Brea-Olinda never recovered. Campbell finished with 27 points and teammate Greg Hooks added 22.

In the 3-A Division:

Sherman Oaks Notre Dame (15-10) vs. Corona del Mar (18-9) at Estancia High--Guard Giancarlo Marcachini, who has returned following a midseason suspension in December for disciplinary reasons is averaging 19.2 points a game. Paul Hewitt, a 6-7 center, averages 9.3 points and 10.1 rebounds a game.

Corona del Mar made 10 consecutive shots in the first quarter of a 75-60 victory over Northview Tuesday and was 17 of 21 in the first half. Forward Jeff Jackson (12.8 points and 6.7 rebounds) and guard Mark Flint (9.1 points and 6.4 assists) pace Corona del Mar.

In the 2-A Division:

Laguna Beach (21-5) vs. El Segundo (15-13) at Rolling Hills High--Ken Talanoa of El Segundo and Dain Blanton of Laguna Beach will be the centers of attention. Talanoa (6-5, 230 pounds) averages 13.3 points and 12.9 rebounds.

Blanton, a 6-4 senior, averages 17.5 points and 6.1 rebounds for Laguna Beach. Guard John Trevino (15 points and 3.3 assists) and Josh Borella (13.4 points and a 54% three-point shooter) form a strong backcourt. Laguna Beach is seeking its first title since 1962.

El Segundo, St. Monica and Verbum Dei, all members of the Camino Real League, have advanced to the semifinals.

In the Small Schools Division:

St. Margaret’s (20-4) vs. Bethel Christian (20-2) at Quartz Hills High--Ryan Westendorf, St. Margaret’s 6-7 junior center, will finally be looking someone in the eye. Bethel Christian center Scott Burns also is 6-7, but he might have problems containing Westendorf, who averages 25.8 points and 19 rebounds a game.

Bethel Christian’s top players are guard Leo Lett (14.2 points, 3.3 assists) and forward Zurick Sellers (12.8 points and 9.9 rebounds). Dann Campaigne complements Westendorf with 17.1 points, 11.2 rebounds and 6.8 rebounds a game. St. Margaret’s has won 17 consecutive games.