Santa Margarita Proves It Still Has Woodbridge’s Number

Jerry DeBusk and John Halagan, boys’ basketball coaches at Santa Margarita and Woodbridge, respectively, have seen their teams wage some wars through the years. But usually those games have been played in January and February, with a Sea View League title on the line.

With Santa Margarita now in the Serra League, Wednesday night’s nonleague game between the schools had a slightly different meaning.

But it ended with a similar result to years past, as Santa Margarita defeated Woodbridge, 40-35, in a knock-down, drag-out defensive battle at Santa Margarita.

“I told the kids we scheduled this game for one reason,” Halagan said. “We knew it would be a playoff-intensity type of affair in December. And it was a street fight out there.

“Both teams played extremely hard. I don’t know if it was the most aesthetically pleasing game to watch. But you enjoyed it if you are into kids playing really hard and leaving everything between the lines.”

Neither team led by more than three points through the first three quarters. The game was tied, 27-27, going into the final period.

But Santa Margarita (4-1) went on a 7-0 run to start the fourth quarter.

R.J. Socci drilled a three-pointer to put Santa Margarita in front, 32-27, with 6:41 to go. It would be the first of two important long-distance shots by the junior guard.

Adam Tancredi grabbed an offensive rebound and scored 35 seconds later to give the Eagles the seven-point lead.

After Woodbridge (3-2) pulled to within 34-30 on a free throw and turnaround jumper by Regan Arroyo, Socci knocked down another three-pointer to put Santa Margarita ahead, 37-30, with 4:11 remaining.

But unlike his earlier three-pointer, which hit nothing but net, this one banked in.

“It was a bad shot,” DeBusk said. “He didn’t intend to do that. I saw him shoot it and said, ‘Oh no.’ ”

Tancredi came up with another put-back on Santa Margarita’s next possession to put the game out of reach at 39-30.

“Tancredi helped us a little bit inside in the second half,” DeBusk said. “We were able to get the ball inside in the first half, but weren’t able to make baskets.”