Servite Gets Just a Few, Tops Tustin

The Golden West League title had been Tustin’s personal property the last two seasons, but it looks as if there will be a new titleholder next week.

Tiller Coach Andy Ground all but said so after watching first-place Servite defeat Tustin, 39-33, at Tustin.

“We’re out of the league race,” Ground said. “Now we have to keep from going in the tank the next three games.”

The Friars (17-6, 6-1), on the other hand, are within reach of their first basketball league title since 1983. They will be chased by Tustin and Ocean View--who play each other Friday--and Westminster could still be a factor. But should they get by Saddleback and Santa Ana, as expected, Servite could be tough to catch.

“Beating Tustin twice has to give us confidence,” Servite Coach Scott Hamilton said. “My only concern was we had a chance to put them away and we didn’t; the kids, knowing we’re close to a league title got a little tense and I didn’t do a good job of coaching in the fourth quarter.”

Indeed, the Friars, who had a 36-28 lead to start the fourth quarter, took only one shot from the field--a layup by Steve Shea (a game-high 19 points), with 2:23 to play--and missed two of three free throws.

A three-point fourth quarter doesn’t win many games. But the Tillers (14-9, 4-3) could not take advantage, scoring only five points themselves.

And despite forcing 15 Servite turnovers (nine in the first half), Tustin was unable to put pressure on Friar guards Dennis Wisco and Ryan Bulatao late in the game. Both were quick enough to dribble through every two- and three-man trap the Tillers tried to spring.

“I think Wisco is the best player on their team and the best in the league,” Ground said. “He was the difference in the game. Servite’s strength is in their point guards, and we were unable to press them.”

Tustin did manage a couple of early leads--the last being 13-10 early in the second quarter. The Tillers trailed only 21-19 at the half as both teams found it difficult to get into a flow offensively.

But scoring has not come easy for Tustin, particularly in the second half of the season. Throw out the 91 points scored against Westminster Jan. 8, and the Tillers have broken 60 points only twice in the last 12 games.

They could not get shots to fall Wednesday, making only six of 19 field-goal attempts in the first half. They were only 10 for 32 (31%) for the game. Rahiem Hobbs and Greg Carnal were Tustin’s leading scorers, with nine points apiece.

Servite wasn’t all that hot either, making 15 of 37 attempts (41%).

In other league games:

Ocean View 59, Santa Ana 46--Jason Martini scored 21 points to lead second-place Ocean View (16-6, 5-2), which outscored Santa Ana by 20 in the third quarter to take an 11-point lead.

Westminster 73, Saddleback 64--Brandon Fox scored 20 points and Josh Horton had 18 for Westminster (10-11, 4-3).

Jose Toscano scored 15 points for Saddleback (2-5 in league).