BOYS’ BASKETBALL ROUNDUP

Half-Court Trap Springs Mater Dei Past Long Beach Poly

Switching to a half-court trap in the final five minutes helped Mater Dei defeat Long Beach Poly, 47-39, Tuesday night at the Bren Center.

Mater Dei (15-1), the county’s No. 1 team, had defeated Poly, 85-54, in the Ocean View Tournament of Champions. But it was not as easy Tuesday.

“We missed 21 layups (15 inside shots in the first half), yet we still came back to win a close game,” Monarch Coach Gary McKnight said. “Missing easy shots kept (Poly) in the game.”

When the Monarchs went into their half-court trap, they forced Poly to commit turnovers that led to 11 consecutive points and an eight-point lead with 2:02 left.

Terence Wilborn led the Monarchs with 15 points and 10 rebounds.

The victory was No. 301 for McKnight, who was honored before the game with a commemorative jersey that reads “Mater Dei, 300 Wins, McKnight.” He also received a commemorative plaque from team co-captains Wilborn and Kamran Sufi.

In other nonleague games:

Mission Viejo 63, Laguna Hills 59 (2 OT)--Host Mission Viejo trailed by 14 points with about seven minutes to play before rallying. Dave Bayer made two free throws with eight seconds left to tie it, 51-51, and send it into overtime.

Aaron Vance made two free throws with 11 seconds left to tie it, 55-55, at the end of the first overtime.

Bill Pedigo and Jeff Carr each made two free throws in the second overtime for Mission Viejo (6-8). Laguna Hills is 6-7.

Estancia 97, San Clemente 64--Jim Faulkner scored 26 points and Zack Richardson added 17 as Estancia (7-8) defeated San Clemente (4-9).

Liberty Christian 81, Riverside Christian 31--Toby Curto had 26 points and eight assists for Liberty Christian (7-3). Teammate Dave Vaccaro added 16 points.

Century 62, Loara 58--Tom Harmon had 20 points for Century (11-3). Scott Davis had a game-high 24 points for Loara (5-9).

Orange 60, Magnolia 58--Gil Gonzales and Pat Harris each scored 20 points to lead visiting Orange (6-8).

Esperanza 57, El Toro 38--Mike Lawson scored 18 points and Marcus Jones added 12 to lead Esperanza (10-5).

La Habra 53, Los Altos 49--Rick McAnally scored 16 points for La Habra (5-8).

Anaheim 44, Villa Park 40--Guard Boun Malapha had 16 points for Anaheim (5-8).

In the Olympic League:

Capistrano Valley Christian 80, Orange Lutheran 57--Troy Rodarmel had 24 points and 15 rebounds and Scott Harline had 20 points for host Capistrano Valley Christian (11-1, 1-0).

Brethren Christian 53, Whittier Christian 46 (OT)--Brethren Christian (6-7, 1-0) made nine of 11 free throws in overtime for the victory. Jeff Rutter and Kawadwo Boachie each had 12 points for Whittier Christian (5-7, 0-1). The score was tied, 44-44, at the end of regulation.