PREP ROUNDUP : Lynwood to Play Mater Dei for Title at Trabuco Hills

An inability to convert free throws led to Capistrano Valley’s 57-52 loss in overtime to Lynwood in the semifinals of the Coca-Cola Classic boys’ basketball tournament Friday night at Trabuco Hills High School.

Lynwood (3-0) meets Mater Dei for the title at 4:30 p.m. today. Mater Dei defeated Trabuco Hills, 67-48, in the other semifinal.

The Cougars (2-1), who had a 29-22 halftime lead, made only six of 21 from the foul line, including five of 13 in the fourth quarter.

“Free throws killed us,” Coach Mark Thornton said. “I knew we weren’t a good free-throw shooting team, but I didn’t think we were that bad, either.”

Lynwood made six of seven free throws in overtime. The Knights rallied from a 29-22 halftime deficit to tie the score at 49-49 with 2 minutes 30 seconds remaining on Joe Austin’s three-pointer.

Neither team scored again in regulation. The Cougars took a 51-49 lead in overtime on Steve Ransom’s inside basket, but Lywood went ahead, 52-51, on Austin’s two free throws with 1:02 left.

A basket and free throw by Derrick Smith with 20 seconds left increased Lynwood’s lead to 55-52. Tom Airey, who made four three-pointers and led Capistrano Valley with 16 points, missed on 22-footer with five seconds left in the Cougars’ final possession.

In the other Coca-Cola semifinal:

Mater Dei 67, Trabuco Hills 48--Reggie Geary scored 22 points and Terence Wilborn added 16 to lead the Monarchs. Gavin Vanderputten scored 19 for Trabuco Hills.