Vlasic, Maurer Put the Hurt on the Other Guys

Pacifica’s basketball team turned to its casualty list Saturday.

Chris Vlasic spent the week fighting allergies and a sore throat. Erik Maurer spent most of Thursday night and all day Friday having his ankle treated.

But they were the ones who caused the pain and suffering in the Mariners’ 60-55 victory over University of San Diego High in Southern California Regional Division III boys’ basketball final at Anaheim Arena.

Maurer scored 12 points in the first half to keep the Mariners from collapsing. Vlasic made eight free throws in the final minute to put them over the top.

“There was no way I was going to miss this game,” Vlasic said. “Right now, I feel good.”

It was a different story a few hours earlier.

Vlasic, the Mariners’ leading scorer, tried to hide his illness from Coach Bob Becker. But a sneezing fit while his ankles were being taped by Becker blew his act.

“I looked up at Chris, and I knew he was sick,” Becker said. “I think the kids try to hide things from me, because they know I won’t play them if I think they’re too sick or hurt. Chris tried, but he started sneezing and coughing and hacking. I knew.”

So Becker limited Vlasic’s playing time in the first half, hoping to save him for the fourth quarter. It worked.

Vlasic scored 13 of his 15 points in the second half. He began his free throw rampage with the score tied, 52-52. He also grabbed two key rebounds in the final minute and was fouled both times.

All eight of his free throws touched only net.

“It’s just you, the ball and the rim,” Vlasic said. “It’s that simple. Every time I made one, it just built up my confidence a little more.”

Said Becker: “I wanted Chris fresh at the end. I wanted him out there if we were close. I didn’t want him asking out of the game at the end.”

So Becker placed responsibility on Maurer’s shoulders.

Maurer sprained his ankle Thursday and missed the entire second half of the victory over San Diego St. Augustine. He was at the chiropractor’s office until 12:30 a.m. and wasn’t sure he was going to play until right before the game.

Becker put Maurer in Vlasic’s spot in the first half. He responded, gimpy ankle and all, making all six of his shots in the half and finishing with 15 points. It kept the Mariners from disaster. Even with his point production, they still trailed, 35-24.

“I hate to think where we would have been without Erik,” Becker said. “I don’t know how much he was hurting, but I’m sure glad he was out there. He saved us.”

Said Maurer: “It felt fine once I got out there. And right now, everything feels great. Just great.”