Peninsula Breaks From the Gate and Drops Mira Costa

The Peninsula High boys’ basketball team dominated the first half en route to a 75-60 victory over host Mira Costa in the quarterfinals of the Pacific Shores tournament Wednesday night.

The Panthers (2-0) outscored Mira Costa, 22-8, in the first six minutes of the game, and led, 46-18, at the half.

“That first half was even beyond my expectations,” Peninsula Coach Cliff Warren said. “It was great. It was as good as we could expect.”

Junior forward Marcus Boyd had 13 points in the first half, and finished with 17 points and eight rebounds. Senior forward Brian Bowles also scored 11 points in the half, finishing with 20 points and six rebounds.

“We pushed the ball a lot,” Warren said. “We might have even pushed it too much. But you can’t practice one thing and then expect something else in the game.”

Peninsula will play Inglewood in the semifinals at 6 tonight at Redondo.

Mira Costa (1-1), led by senior guard Shane Willis, outscored Peninsula, 42-29, in the second half but could not overcome a 28-point halftime deficit.

Willis scored 17 points in the second half and finished with 25. Warren said he was more impressed with Willis’ defense, though.

“Shane Willis is the best defensive player around, no matter what people say,” Warren said. “He was on everybody, from the low post to the guards.”

Senior guard Brian Hogentogler also had a strong game for Peninsula, scoring 14 points.

Inglewood 69, Carson 63--The Sentinels outscored Carson, 9-2, in the opening two minutes and never trailed in a quarterfinal game at Mira Costa.

Junior forward Paul Pierce led Inglewood (2-0) with 34 points and 10 rebounds. Forward Ralph Shelton and guard Jason Crowe each scored 10 points.

Forward Charles Perry led Carson (1-1) with 17 points and six rebounds and forward Tony Harvey scored 11.

Banning 86, North Torrance 58--Senior guard Jason Pickett scored 41 points, including six three-point shots, to lead the Pilots (1-1) in the consolation quarterfinals.