SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REGIONAL BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS : After Big Victory at Lemoore, Servite Happy to Be at Home

After traveling 220 miles for a first-round game in the Southern California Regional Division III basketball playoffs, Servite High School will be in its cozy gymnasium in Anaheim at 7:30 tonight to play Corona del Mar in the semifinals.

Servite (18-11) traveled to Lemoore, about 50 miles southwest of Fresno, for the opening round Tuesday night and held on for a 57-55 upset of the division’s third-seeded team.

The Friars won despite missing the front ends of three one-and-one free throw opportunities in the final 30 seconds. It also was missed free throws that cost Servite the Southern Section 3-AA division title, when the Friars made only 13 of 27 in a 51-49 overtime loss to Estancia at the Bren Center.

The scene changes tonight to Servite’s gym--capacity: 950--where the Friars have won six of seven games this season, losing only to Bishop Montgomery.

Estancia Coach Tim O’Brien, whose team split with Corona del Mar in Sea View League play and beat Servite for the 3-AA title, called the game a tossup.

“Servite has a size advantage, but Corona del Mar may be a little quicker,” O’Brien said. “Servite gets a big plus playing on (its) own home court. It’s going to be a low-scoring game. If either team scores over 50 points, it’s a shocker. A four-point lead will be a big lead in this kind of a game.

“Both teams have to feel fortunate to be where they’re at after losing on last-second shots in the CIF (Southern Section) title games. Servite will have to start making its free throws in the clutch to beat a team like Corona.”

Corona del Mar (20-10) advanced with a 67-65 victory over second-seeded San Diego Lincoln as forward John Paulsen scored a season-high 30 points. Corona del Mar outscored Lincoln, 10-4, late in the fourth quarter to overcome a 57-55 deficit.

In another Division III game:

Dos Pueblos (17-13) at Estancia (21-9): Dos Pueblos finished tied for fourth in the Channel League and earned an at-large entry into the Southern Section 3-A playoffs. Dos Pueblos defeated Corona del Mar, 39-38, on a last-second shot by center Chris Gaines in the 3-A title game. Guard Ken Ardouin had 19 points in Dos Pueblos’ 72-46 victory over San Diego University in the first regional game.

Top-seeded Estancia overcame a flat first half to beat Tulare Western, 90-61, Tuesday. Estancia will be facing a height disadvantage but guard Agustin Heredia has been a force in his past three games, averaging 29 points. Estancia has made 46 of 55 free throws in its past two games.

In Division I:

Manual Arts (27-3) vs. Mater Dei (31-1) at Chapman College: Manual Arts won its first Los Angeles City Section title since 1981 with an 84-72 victory over Crenshaw in the title game. Guard Marcel Capers averages 16 points and 11 assists a game and had 15 points in a 73-72 victory over Bakersfield in Tuesday’s quarterfinals. William Celestine, a 6-5 senior center, averages 12 rebounds and five blocked shots.

Mater Dei got its 23rd consecutive victory by beating North Hollywood, 76-64. Forward Andy Karich scored 26 points and made three three-point shots. Center Derek Stone has been hampered by an ankle injury but teammate Charlie Andres has picked up the slack, scoring 23 points and getting 14 rebounds in two games. Andres had 15 points and 14 rebounds in Mater Dei’s victory over Loyola in the Southern Section 5-A title game.

In Division IV:

Laguna Beach (23-6) vs. Santa Clara (25-0) at Ventura College: Coach Ed Bowen led Laguna Beach to a 58-54 victory over Santa Clara 28 years ago for the Southern Section 1-A division title at Oxnard High. “They had won three straight 1-A titles when we went up there and beat them,” Bowen said. “I’m revved up to play them again. I think they’re as good as any team around, including Mater Dei.”

Santa Clara, behind forward Shon Tarver, has won 47 consecutive games since losing to Edison in the Estancia Tournament in December 1988. Laguna Beach guard John Trevino regained his shooting touch in a 71-37 victory over Coronado Tuesday, making five of eight three-point shots.