SOUTHERN SECTION BOYS’ BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS : Santa Margarita Starts Fast, Rolls Past Savanna

Santa Margarita, with a 24-7 first-quarter run, defeated Savanna, 82-59, in the semifinals of the Southern Section Division III-AA boys’ basketball playoffs Friday night at Western High.

The Eagles (23-6) will make their first championship appearance, facing Servite next Saturday at Anaheim Arena.

Dennis Keane and Brian Scoggin connected on three-point field goals early in the game and Brad Finneran followed with two field goals to give the Eagles a 12-2 lead. Santa Margarita hit eight of 14 from the field in the first quarter, building a 24-7 advantage.

Coach Jerry DeBusk pointed out that this was only the fourth game for Santa Margarita since the return of injured forward Brian Finneran.

“We played as a unit tonight and I was very pleased with our performance,” DeBusk said.

Santa Margarita had a 42-20 halftime lead, hitting 64% from the field. Savanna was eight of 25 in the first half.

Scoggin led the Eagles’ balanced scoring with 17 points. Brad Finneran had 16, Brian Finneran 15 and Brendon Mulligan 14.

Jermaine Moore connected on seven of 14 three-pointers for Savanna (15-12) and finished with 23 points. The Rebels’ Malcolm Dougan hit three three-pointers. He finished with 11 points.

Santa Margarita had an 18-8 rebound edge in the first half.