Third Quarter Is Tustin’s Best of Times : Division II boys: Tillers, who face Danville San Ramon Valley for State title, come out of locker room firing.

For the most part, today’s State Division II championship game will be a battle between similar and, possibly, equal teams.

Tustin comes into the game with a 29-4 record. The Tillers are neither big nor quick, yet they have been able to beat teams that appeared to have more talent.

Ditto for Danville San Ramon Valley, which is 29-2.

The teams meet at 3 p.m. in the Oakland Coliseum Arena.

“It will be interesting to see our reflection in the mirror,” San Ramon Valley Coach John Raynor said. “Everyone I’ve talked to said Tustin is exactly like us.”

The deciding factor could be Tustin’s ability to dominate the third quarter. In every playoff game, the Tillers have taken control after returning from the locker room for the second half.

In some games, the Tillers’ second-half burst was the final blow to an opponent that is already trailing. Other times, it tipped a close game in Tustin’s favor.

In eight playoff games, the Tillers have outscored their opponents, 150-72, in the third quarter.

Guard David Beilstein (20.3 points per game) and forwards Thomas Clayton (15.4) and Jentry Moore (8.8) have led third-quarter runs during the playoffs.

“We’re as focused in the third quarter as we are at the start of the game,” Clayton said. “We don’t relax at halftime, we stay intense. I don’t think the teams we’ve played have been that focused.”

Certainly, Muir wasn’t focused in the semifinals of the Southern Section II-AA semifinals. The Tillers trailed, 38-32, at halftime, then outscored the Mustangs, 14-5, in the third quarter.

Tustin won going away, 71-57.

“We run a lot before and during practice,” Moore said. “So I think we’re in better shape than the other teams. They tire in the second half and we’re just getting started.”

In the Southern California Regional final, the Tillers again used a third-quarter blitz to beat Artesia. The score was tied at the half, 21-21, but Tustin started the third quarter with a 10-2 run and the Pioneers never recovered.

The Tillers outscored Artesia, 14-6, in the third quarter and won, 51-36.

“I can’t explain it,” Coach Tom McCluskey said. “They don’t get nervous when they get behind early. I think they understand tempo and know how to use it.”

However, Raynor said he thinks his players can handle any pressure the Tillers throw at them.

“We have a pretty cohesive team,” he said. “We don’t fall apart easily.”

Although San Ramon Valley started the season with 11 juniors on the roster, it has matured quickly. Led by forward Kevin Dunne (17.1 points per game) and guard Todd Benatar (10.4), the Wolves won the East Bay Athletic League and the North Coast Section.

“After we won the league, I think the kids began to believe they could get this far,” Raynor said.

TUSTIN KNOCKOUTS IN THIRD QUARTER

SOUTHERN SECTION II-AA PLAYOFFS

Opponent At Half In Third Final San Clemente T, 37-30 T, 14-11 T, 75-57 Orange T, 35-30 T, 19-5 T, 79-50 Edison T, 39-18 T, 24-10 T, 77-49 Muir M, 38-32 T, 14-5 T, 71-57 J.W. North T, 25-17 T, 16-7 T, 70-42

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA DIVISION II REGIONALS

Opponent At Half In Third Final Visalia Redwood T, 45-23 T, 21-7 T, 91-49 Esc. San Pasqual T, 39-23 T, 28-21 T, 85-61 Artesia 21-21 tie T, 14-6 T, 51-36

DIVISION II BOYS’ CHAMPIONSHIP GAME LINEUPS SAN RAMON VALLEY (29-2) TUSTIN (29-4) Name Hgt. Yr. PPG Pos. Name Hgt. Yr. PPG Kevin Dunne 6-5 Jr. 17.1 F Thomas Clayton 6-2 Sr. 15.4 Blake Lanning 6-3 Sr. 5.9 F Jentry Moore 6-2 Jr. 8.8 Doug Gillis 6-4 Jr. 5.7 C Brian Reider 6-7 Sr. 10.3 Todd Benatar 5-9 Jr. 10.4 G David Beilstein 5-11 Sr. 20.3 Randy Winn 6-0 Jr. 6.7 G Derek Roche 5-11 Jr. 6.4 Coach John Raynor Coach Tom McCluskey