DAILY PILOT TIPOFF TOURNAMENT : Huntington Beach Earns Shot at the Monarchs

Huntington Beach High basketball Coach Roy Miller had only a moment to enjoy his team’s 56-38 victory over Irvine in the semifinals of the Daily Pilot Tipoff Classic Friday night at Corona del Mar before he got the bad news.

The victory earned Huntington Beach a date with top-seeded Mater Dei in tonight’s championship game, and although many think the Oilers are the only team in the county that can play with Mater Dei, Miller realizes the task ahead.

“I watched them for a half against Santa Ana Valley and couldn’t figure out where the talent level drops off,” he said. “We’ll have to play well, almost a perfect game, and keep them from getting three or four shots every time they come down the court.”

Mater Dei advanced with a convincing 111-31 victory over Santa Ana Valley.

Huntington Beach started slowly against Irvine but utilized a pressing, halfcourt trap to open up the slow-paced game in the second quarter and took a 21-12 halftime lead. Irvine (2-1) committed 10 turnovers in the second quarter and only made one shot.

“Ballhandling hurt us, and it’s no secret that it’s one of our weaknesses,” Irvine Coach Steve Keith said. “A good team like Huntington Beach is going to expose that weakness.”

Junior center Tony Gonzalez ignited Huntington Beach on the offensive end in the second and third quarters when he scored 14 of his 16 points. His three-point play with 30 seconds remaining in the half gave the Oilers a nine-point lead and Irvine never seriously threatened afterward.

In consolation-round games:

Sonora 53, San Dieguito 46--Chris St. Clair and Steve Kincaid scored 15 and 14 points, respectively, for Sonora (2-1).

Marina 61, Corona del Mar 51--Eric Endsley scored 20 points for Marina (2-1). Todd Merriman had 20 points for Corona del Mar (1-2).

Newport Harbor 67, Westminster 55--Forward Mike Eadie led the Sailors (2-1) with 20 points.