NORTH-SOUTH ALL-STAR BASKETBALL GAMES : Gonzalez the Go-To Guy as South Holds Off North : Boys: Huntington Beach star nearly unstoppable, finishes with 31 points, 13 rebounds in 105-93 victory.

Tony Gonzalez, that two-sport irresistible force, was his usual pillar of strength Saturday night. The competition was tougher, but he found the going the same.

By the time the Orange County all-star basketball game was over, Gonzalez--Huntington Beach High School’s own little bundle of bulk--was in a typical spot, on a pedestal.

His 31-point, 13-rebound performance led the South to a 105-93 victory over the North at Orange Coast College.

“We didn’t play Huntington Beach this season, and after tonight, I’m glad we didn’t,” said North Coach Mike Murphy, who coaches Sonora. “He is something else.”

Gonzalez, an All-Orange County selection in basketball and football, was a one-man gang much of the night. Never mind it was an all-star game, with dozens of other talented players. Gonzalez put on his normal stop-me-if-you-can show.

He made 12 of 19 shots, from post moves to outside jumpers. He drew a crowd, but he merely overpowered them. He had seven offensive rebounds, which led to 12 points.

“If Tony gets his hand on it, it’s over,” said South Coach Gordon Billingsley, who coaches Fountain Valley. “It’s his rebound.”

The North double- and triple-teamed him, but it wasn’t enough. Gonzalez either plowed through defenders or shot over them.

“You start your game inside, then work your way outside,” Gonzalez said.

Said Murphy: “We told the guy guarding Tony not to look at the ball or other players. We told him to block out Tony like it was football. Well, we now know who the best football player was out on the floor.”

Gonzalez’s only mistake was a game-ending dunk, which came a second after the buzzer.

At one point, a loose ball rolled toward Gonzalez. He reached down with one hand and picked it up, as if it was an orange, and scored.

“I just reacted the only way I know how,” Gonzalez said. “It was a loose ball, and I had to have it.”

Gonzalez, who is 6 feet 6, 230 pounds, also spent a good portion of the game guarding Mater Dei guard Miles Simon. Simon made six of 21 shots and was only two for 10 on three-pointers.

Gonzalez scored eight points in the first five minutes of the second half as the South extended its 45-38 halftime lead to 62-44.

The South maintained a double-figure lead until the final eight minutes. Then Simon, the Orange County player of the year, got hot. He scored 20 of his 23 points in the second half and had 16 in the final eight minutes.

Simon and Pacifica’s Chris Vlasic, who scored 22 points, pulled the North closer. Simon’s three-pointer made it 84-82 with 4 minutes 11 seconds left.

It was then that Gonzalez got a little help. Santa Magarita’s Brian Finneran scored 12 of his 17 in the final five minutes.