BOYS’ BASKETBALL ROUNDUP : University Runs Wild to Beat Corona del Mar

University’s loose interpretation of basketball annoyed, badgered and generally unnerved another opponent Wednesday night.

Yes, the Trojans played it their way in a 68-63 Sea View League victory over Corona del Mar at University. They ran, they pressed-to-stress and threw caution, not to mention shots, to the wind.

It was enough to make a coach shake his head, which Corona del Mar’s Paul Orris was doing afterward.

“We talked about playing the transition game when we wanted to, not just because University was doing it,” Orris said.

Ah, but the Trojans had other ideas. The Sea Kings (11-9, 3-5) are generally a pick-and-pass team who work their half-court offense, but University would have none of that. The Sea Kings were pulled into a chaotic style.

University (12-7, 5-3) employed a variety of presses, when they didn’t work, the Trojans got physical. They had three players foul out, but forced 29 turnovers, including four in the final 1 minute 33 seconds that helped preserve a one-point lead.

Ali Amiri (17 points) made two free throws with 30 seconds left to give the Trojans a 66-63 lead. The Sea Kings missed a three-point attempt, then had one more turnover left in them. It resulted in a layup by Demitrius Zeigler.

“We feel other teams should adjust to our style, we don’t need to adjust to theirs,” Zeigler said.

Zeigler, Orange County’s leading scorer, emphasized that point. He suffered through a terrible game as a shooter, but he that didn’t let that slow him down.

Zeigler scored 30 points, but made only eight of 20 shots, including two of eight three-pointers. But, in the fourth quarter, he found his touch. He made four of five shots and scored 12 points.

Twice, Corona del Mar tied the score and both times Zeigler answered.

He sank a three-pointer to give the Trojans a 61-58 lead with 2:22 left. He then stole the inbound pass and scored to give them a five-point lead.

Zeigler then made a free throw with 1:33 left to give University a 64-63 lead.

“No matter what you have done through three quarters, the fourth quarter is it,” said Zeigler, who made 12 of 18 free throws. “You have to step up. That’s what makes superstars.”

It also helps to be in a free-wheeling system with a shot-it-if-you-got-it philosophy. The Trojans fired up 22 three-point attempts, making eight. That included Dustin White’s heave from well-behind the three-point line with less than two minutes left and the Trojans nursing a one-point lead.

But such madness can create havoc and the Sea Kings couldn’t handle it. They turned the ball over 13 times in the first quarter and trailed, 37-26, at halftime.

Ramin Bastani scored 16 of his 27 points in the second half to bring the Sea Kings back. But, in the end, they were out of their element.

“Nobody has been able to do what they wanted against us,” Coach Mike Dinneen said.