SOUTHERN SECTION BOYS’ BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS : DIVISION II-AA QUARTERFINALS : Ripley Is Convincing for Woodbridge

Self-sacrifice has its own rewards and Woodbridge’s Eric Ripley is collecting them by the fistful these days.

For starters, the Warriors reached the Southern Section II-AA semifinals with a 73-44 victory Friday over Mission Viejo. It was a never-to-forget moment for a role player such as Ripley, burned in his memory by his own performance at Capistrano Valley High.

The Diablos dared Ripley to score and he made believers out of them with a career-high 29 points to put the Warriors in Tuesday’s semifinal against Riverside North.

Ripley did his damage while the Diablos concentrated on Chris Burgess, the Warriors’ 6-foot-9 center.

“Sometimes, other teams forget about the rest of us,” Ripley said. “People don’t realize we have other good players.”

Tough to blame opponents the way Burgess has played. He has averaged 22 points, including 25 in the past six games--all victories.

Burgess, a sophomore transfer from Mater Dei, has drawn more attention from defenses and has come up with bigger games. He had 36 in the Warriors’ victory over Agoura last Friday.

A guy such as Ripley, a returning starter, can get lost easily.

“I don’t care,” said Ripley, a 6-3 senior. “Chris is the reason we’re here. We wouldn’t have gone this far without him.”

They wouldn’t have gone any further without Ripley.

Mission Viejo (16-11) had upset fourth-seeded La Crescenta Crescenta Valley, but was out of this game quickly.

Ripley had 13 points by halftime as the Warriors led, 29-17. He scored 10 in the third quarter as Woodbridge (20-9) upped the lead to 52-31.

The Diablos were only 16 of 68 from the field. Austin Moherman scored 17 points, but was eight of 27. Mike Yancey, who scored 27 against Crescenta Valley, scored five.

Moherman scored the game’s first points on a layup over Burgess, who then blocked three consecutive shots. His defense started a 13-0 run that erased a 4-3 Mission Viejo lead. The game was never close again.

Ripley did most of his damage in the open court, scoring 12 point on fast breaks. But he also scored in a set offense, including three baskets off passes from Burgess.

“I have no problem passing to guys for layups,” Burgess said.

Said Ripley: “The best part about Chris is he’s unselfish.”

Burgess blocked seven shots and thoroughly rattled the Diablos. He scored a season-low 13 points, but had 15 rebounds, which started several fast breaks. He twice follow missed shots with dunks and had another on a fast break.

But the Diablos were going to deny him room in the half-court offense.

“If teams are going to put three guys on me, guys like Eric are going to get 20-30 points,” Burgess said.

Ripley made 12 of 18 shots and had eight rebounds. Micky Brown scored 13 points, eight in the third quarter.

Said Warrior Coach John Halagan: “That’s going to happen when you concentrate so much on Chris.”

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In another game:

Trabuco Hills 66, Cerritos Gahr 65--Laquent Fobbs made two free throws with four seconds left to give the Mustangs (19-10) the victory at Biola. Jon Paisley scored 27 points for Trabuco Hills. Marcus Lemons scored 34 points for Gahr (20-9).