Marusich on Mark When Game’s on Line

There is some question about Steve Marusich’s free throw accuracy. Marusich, a 6-foot-7 center at Servite High School, says he has made about 75% of his shots this season; Richard Smith, his coach, says it’s about 67%.

But that’s just statistical quibbling. Smith said there is no one on the team he’d rather see at the line late in a game than Marusich, the Times’ athlete of the week and the Friars’ only returning starter.

“The best thing you can say about him is he is a great competitor,” Servite Coach Richard Smith said. “When it comes down to winning, he does what it takes to win.”

Last Tuesday, it took Marusich’s two free throws, in a one-and-one situation with four seconds remaining, to give the Friars a 41-39 victory over Centennial in a 3-AA quarterfinal game.

Marusich, who started five games as a sophomore at Servite, said he wasn’t nervous.

“I was pretty confident after I made the first one,” he said.

Marusich also had 17 points, 10 rebounds and five blocked shots for the Friars.

Friday Marusich added more evidence of his prowess at the line, making 13 of 13 free throws, scoring 27 points and grabbing 10 rebounds as the Friars defeated Culver City, 74-60, and advanced to the finals against Estancia on Wednesday at the Bren Center.

Marusich didn’t score his first two points until 30 seconds remained in the first quarter. But he scored nine in the second quarter and 16 in the second half as Servite pulled away from Culver City.

Four of Marusich’s brothers played basketball for the Friars, but he’s the first one in the family to reach a Southern Section final. He will have to be persistent to claim any bragging rights.

“They will say it’s luck. That will be their response,” Marusich said.

TOP PERFORMERS

Josh Borella and Dain Blanton of Laguna Beach led the Artists to the 2-A championship game on Saturday against St. Joseph. Borella had 28 points and Blanton had 22 in a 73-62 victory over Bishop Tuesday. Friday, Blanton had 24 points and 12 rebounds and Borella had 15 points as the Artists defeated El Segundo, 67-55.

David Boyle scored 22 points as Mater Dei defeated El Toro, 80-55, Friday in the 5-A semifinals. Boyle lead the Monarchs with 13 points in a 51-31 victory over Santa Barbara Tuesday.

Ricky Heimer, an Orange soccer player, scored three second-half goals as the Panthers defeated Montebello, 5-1, in a 2-A quarterfinal match Friday. Heimer has scored four goals in three playoff matches and has 16 goals on the season.

Mater Dei’s Rick Monge defeated Jason Roberts of Rim of the World, 5-2, to win the 145-pound wrestling title at the Southern Section Masters meet Saturday.

Steve Marusich

Servite High School

* Position: Center

* Height, Weight, Class: 6-7, 190, Senior

* Last Week: Marusich scored 44 points in two playoff victories. He made two free throws with four seconds remaining to give the Friars a 41-39 victory over Centennial Tuesday and scored 27 points in a 74-60 victory over Culver City Friday.

* Season: Marusich is averaging 15.4 points and seven rebounds a game.