BOYS’ BASKETBALL / TROY TOURNAMENT : Senik, Vargas Carry El Toro to Victory

El Toro will remember this night after stealing a 42-40 victory against Troy in the second round of the Troy Courtside Clash boys’ basketball tournament.

The Chargers had two heroes. One was Travis Senik, who blistered the Warriors for 29 points on 14-of-19 shooting. He missed only two of 15 attempts from inside the three-point line.

Just as important was Elias Vargas. He made one basket, a three-point shot with one second left that won it for El Toro (7-1). Troy slipped to 4-4.

“We have two or three guys who can do what Senik did tonight,” Charger Coach David Shoemaker said. “But credit Troy’s defense. We were fortunate to win. And also credit Senik. I think he is one of the most underrated players in the county.”

Wulfemeyer is one of the most notable names in the county, but that did not help sophomore Mark Wulfemeyer against Troy.

With his father Mark’s retired jersey (one of six at Troy) on the gym wall, Wulfemeyer missed all eight shot attempts. His best chance came in the third quarter when he stole the ball from Ryan Dickens under the basket, but Dickens blocked his layup attempt.

“I was nervous coming into the game,” said Wulfemeyer, who did contribute a couple of rebounds and, to his credit, never tried to force a shot or play.

“I just didn’t shoot well. Hopefully I can come back here Friday and do better.”

Wulfemeyer’s father, who was in the stands watching the game, had 2,608 points during his 1972-74 Troy career.

All this week, the elder Wulfemeyer tried to reinforce in his son to treat Wednesday’s contest as any other game.

“I know he’s felt some pressure,” the elder Wulfemeyer said. “I wasn’t thinking when we named him Mark. Last year I almost wished he had not played in Orange County.

“But he worked real hard to improve himself. He was always a better defensive player than I was. This season his shooting and ball handling have gotten better.”

Shoemaker agrees with the assessment. “He is a completely different player from last year,” the coach said.

Wulfemeyer did have a hand in the final outcome. After Troy guard Jeremy Injunza stole the ball from Vargas at midcourt and laid it in with 31 seconds left, giving the Warriors a 40-39 lead, the Chargers worked the ball around for the last shot.

Following a timeout Troy double-teamed the red-hot Senik, who passed to Wulfemeyer. He hoisted a 16-footer that bounced away, but Wulfemeyer somehow got the rebound and was fouled with four seconds left.

On the ensuing out of bounds play, the ball landed in Vargas’ hands, who sank a 21-footer to win the game.

In another tournament game:

Pacifica 65, Whittier Pioneer 63--Ryan Caraveo scored 28 points to lead Pacifica, which led by 10 at the half.