SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REGIONAL BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS : DIVISION V BOYS : Montclair Prep Avenges a Defeat

Revenge was a powerful motivator for the Montclair Prep boys’ basketball team in its 63-30 Southern California regional semifinal victory over Pasadena Poly Thursday night, but it shouldn’t have been worth 39 points.

Pasadena Poly took the floor at home without its point guard and proceeded to make just four of 30 shots in the first half, making Montclair Prep’s redemption mission much easier.

After losing to the Panthers by six points six days ago in the Southern Section Division V title game, Montclair Prep had little trouble Thursday.

The Mounties (26-5) advance to the regional final Saturday afternoon at Cal State Fullerton against San Diego Horizon Christian.

Pasadena Poly played without point guard David Newhall, who suffered an ankle injury in Tuesday’s first-round game.

Newhall scored 15 points against Montclair Prep in last week’s game and was Pasadena Poly’s defensive stopper. Newhall shut down Mountie point guard Akil Anderson in the second half, after the Mounties took an early 10-point lead.

But without Newhall, Pasadena Poly trailed, 16-4, by the end of the first quarter and wasn’t threatened.

“It was a big plus for us when he didn’t come out,” said Montclair Prep’s Reed Berglund, who scored 11 points and had 11 assists. “We were able to take control of the game right away.”

The Mounties patiently pounded the ball inside to forward Anwan Jones, who finished with 18 points and 14 rebounds.

Pasadena Poly (27-3) was able to stay within 15 points in the second and third quarters, until the Panthers lost a second key player.

Sophomore center Robert Reeder, the Panthers’ only consistent threat on offense, injured his back during a scramble for the ball midway through the third quarter and did not return.

Montclair Prep went on an 8-0 run in the next 90 seconds to extend its lead to 40-17.

“Their big guys killed us in the last game,” Jones said. “We had to work on boxing out and getting the rebounds.”