Moreno Valley Squeaks Past San Clemente, 55-52

San Clemente gave visiting Moreno Valley all it could handle Friday, but the top-seeded Vikings had just enough to squeak into the semifinals with a 55-52 victory at Capistrano Valley High.

Moreno Valley’s victory in this Southern Section Division II-AA boys’ basketball quarterfinal game wasn’t secure until Semaj Johnson’s three-point attempt at the buzzer fell short and bounced off the rim.

Moreno Valley (25-4) advanced to the semifinals to play Santa Margarita. San Clemente finishes 17-12.

George Jimerson and Dennis Teel each scored 15 points for Moreno Valley and point guard Payton Williams almost put the game away by making five of six free throws in the final minute.

But San Clemente’s Scott Harlan, who entered the game for the first time in the final 30 seconds, made a three-pointer with 12 seconds remaining to draw San Clemente within 53-52.

Moreno Valley broke San Clemente’s press, and Jimerson caught a long pass from Williams and was intentionally fouled by Harlan with eight seconds remaining.

Jimerson made one of two free throws and Moreno Valley retained possession. Williams was fouled with six seconds remaining, but made only one of two to make it, 55-52, before Johnson’s desperation shot.

“I saw San Clemente on tape and I thought this was going to be a tough game,” said Moreno Valley Coach John Dahl, who posted his 501st victory. “Plus, right now we’re retooling.”

Moreno Valley played without leading scorer, Sheldon Weiss, who was averaging 18 points. Weiss was declared academically ineligible.

Still, the Vikings’ full-court press wreaked havoc, causing 11 San Clemente turnovers in the first half. The press appeared to wear down the Tritons.

“We thought we could get some easy baskets off of their press,” San Clemente Coach Ed Coyle said. “But we just kept turning the ball over.”

In other Division II-AA games:

Santa Margarita 66, Santa Barbara 58 (OT)--Allen Krist had 25 points and 18 rebounds and Santa Margarita advanced to the semifinals against Moreno Valley.

With four seconds left in regulation and the score tied at 52, Mike Garrett drove the lane for Santa Barbara (18-8) and missed an off-balance shot, sending the game into overtime.

Santa Barbara lost its front line in overtime as Spencer Rich and Ryan Atkinson fouled out and the Eagles outscored the Dons, 12-4.

Riverside North 80, Woodbridge 66--William Stovall scored 10 of his 14 points in the fourth quarter and Woodbridge pulled within one point with four minutes remaining. But North began to pull away and the Huskies made their free throws down the stretch.

The Warriors (23-7) trailed big early on, but closed the first half on a 19-6 run to tie the score, 29-29, at the break. Chris Burgess scored a game-high 31 points for Woodbridge. Chris Claiborne had 25 points for North (20-6).

Palm Springs 30, Cypress 28--Maurice Scott stripped the ball from Chad Boberg with three seconds remaining to preserve the Palm Springs victory over Cypress (24-5). Boberg and Scott each scored 15 points.