BOYS’ BASKETBALL ROUNDUP : Huntington Beach Routs Serra, Earns Mater Dei Rematch

Forward Matt Ambrose made a simple observation when asked what Huntington Beach will have to do differently in its rematch tonight against the county’s top-ranked team, Mater Dei.

“We’re going to have to play with more intensity and hope that the refs are on our side, or at least neutral,” he said.

Huntington Beach’s top big men, Ambrose and center Tony Gonzalez, were on the bench most of the second half in the first meeting and consequently the Oilers lost, 67-52, in the championship game of the Daily Pilot Tipoff tournament.

But Huntington Beach earned a rematch with Mater Dei with a convincing 62-36 victory over Gardena Serra Thursday night in the quarterfinals of the 21st Tournament of Champions at Ocean View High.

Huntington Beach (5-1) will meet Mater Dei (7-0) in the first semifinal at 7 p.m. Tournament host Ocean View faces Long Beach Poly in the second semifinal at 8:30.

Huntington Beach guard Tommy Walden provided the big plays for the Oilers against Serra, hitting three three-point shots and running the offense smoothly when teammate Bryan Chang got into early foul trouble.

The Oilers opened a 19-11 lead in the first quarter when Gonzalez scored on a buzzer beater and padded the lead to 11 points when Gonzalez once again beat the buzzer ending the first half, 31-20.

Huntington Beach’s timing continued to be right on the mark when Ambrose scored on a three-point shot just before the third-quarter buzzer sounded to push the Oilers ahead, 47-33.

Serra (4-4) had problems getting into its offense, and afterward Huntington Beach Coach Roy Miller said defense was the difference.

“You saw how productive Matt Ambrose can be if he stays out of foul trouble,” Miller said. “Hopefully, we’ll keep our big guys out of foul trouble this time against Mater Dei. The key will be getting everybody on the boards. I watched Mater Dei Wednesday night and they board so strong and then get the ball upcourt quickly.”

Gonzalez led Huntington Beach with 18 points and nine rebounds. Ambrose and Walden each finished with 17 points and Ambrose had 14 rebounds.