IRVINE TOURNAMENT : Teammates Find Parks in Victory

The failure to get the ball to All-American center Cherokee Parks in the low post has haunted Marina High School for most of the season. The problem is comparable to owning a Mercedes-Benz and losing the keys.

But in the second round of the Irvine World News tournament Wednesday night, Parks’ teammates got the ball inside and he responded with 26 points and 15 rebounds in a 71-55 victory over Mission Viejo at Irvine High School.

Parks made five consecutive shots in the second quarter as Marina (6-3) built a 25-16 lead. Mission Viejo never threatened afterward. Parks, 6-foot-10, had 13 points in the decisive second quarter.

“I hope this was a breakthrough,” said Steve Popovich, Marina coach. “I hope my players saw how effective we can be when they get the ball inside to Cherokee. I’m sure tired of talking about it.

“We finally figured out that going inside makes our outside game so much more effective. Cherokee’s shooting 70% from the field, so he makes our team shooting stats look real good.”

Parks didn’t quite hit his average, making 10 of 22 shots, but he had two or three defenders draped over him every time he attempted to shoot.

“I hope he has arms left at the end of the year,” Popovich said. “He gets hammered, but he never says a word.”

Mission Viejo (3-4) continued to struggle with the loss of its top player, Mike Boucher, who sustained a knee injury in the football playoffs. The highlight for the Diablos was a rare five-point play by guard Matt Brummel with 1:23 remaining.

Brummel made a three-point shot and was fouled by Parks after the play. He then made two foul shots on a one-and-one opportunity.

In other Irvine tournament games:

Woodbridge 61, Edison 59 (OT)--Robin Pingle made a three-point shot to break a 57-57 tie with 1:21 left in overtime and then made a free throw with 23 seconds remaining to give Woodbridge (6-2) the victory. Edison (5-2) scored a meaningless basket as time ran out.

Irvine 81, University 50--Irvine opened a 20-2 lead in the first quarter in breezing to its eighth consecutive victory and set up a semifinal showdown with Marina Friday night. Forward John Molle made his first seven shots and had 16 points at halftime. He finished with 35 points and 14 rebounds.

University (2-5) had lost to Irvine, 106-70, in a nonleague game last week but the Trojans were a little closer in the rematch as junior forward Donnell Dowdy scored 28 points.

Savanna 86, Santa Ana 80--Andy Trumpour scored 25 points and Jeremy Lyche had 17 for Savanna (4-4) in a consolation game at Woodbridge High School. Chauncey Woolridge scored 33 for Santa Ana.

Esperanza 58, Brea-Olinda 36--Brea-Olinda (1-6) trailed by five with 4:30 remaining but the Wildcats scored only one point the rest of the way in a consolation game at University High School. Joe Foss scored 20 points for Esperanza (5-4).

Saddleback 78, Kennedy 65--Jason Register had 24 points and David Washington had 23 for Saddleback (3-4) in a consolation game at University High School. Jermaine Galloway had 28 points for Kennedy.

Loara 101, Orange Lutheran 73--Tes Whitlock had 33 points, eight rebounds and eight steals and Charlie Gipson had 16 points and 11 rebounds for Loara (3-5) in a consolation game at Woodbridge High.