SOUTHERN SECTION BOYS’ BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS : DIVISION V-AA : North Hollywood Campbell Hall Sidetracks St. Margaret’s

St. Margaret’s ran into a roadblock on its way to the school’s first Southern Section basketball championship: a 6-foot-10 roadblock.

In front of a standing-room-only crowd, North Hollywood Campbell Hall eliminated St. Margaret’s, 66-52, in a Southern Section Division V-AA boys’ basketball quarterfinal game Friday at Campbell Hall. Viking center Alex Lopez led the way with 30 points and 10 rebounds.

Lopez, who has signed a letter of intent with Washington, scored 20 points in the second half and blocked three shots. He helped the Vikings (19-8) advance to the semifinals. Fourth-seeded St. Margaret’s ended the season at 20-4.

“We were out of sync all night,” St. Margaret’s Coach Rick Bauer said. “Call it nerves, inexperience, whatever. Give Campbell Hall the credit, their pressure defense forced us to play that way.”

St. Margaret’s top scorer, Damian Raibon, scored 17 points on eight-of-15 shooting but never seemed to find his rhythm. Teammate Lupe Rodriguez added 14 points.

Raibon averaged 24 points and 12 rebounds during the regular season, but was hampered by a twisted ankle he suffered late in the first quarter.

Raibon wasn’t the only one hurting. Starting forward Bobby Masters also hurt his ankle 17 seconds into the fourth quarter and his absence further hindered any Tartan comeback.

Unseeded Campbell Hall didn’t give St. Margaret’s many opportunities, but the Tartans did come as close as 12 twice in the fourth quarter.

But when the Tartans tried to get within range, they fired blanks.

St. Margaret’s shot 33% (13 of 39) in the second half and Campbell Hall’s defense held them to 37% (23 of 63) for the game. The Viking defense also forced 14 St. Margaret’s turnovers in the first three quarters helping Campbell Hall build a 46-31 lead.