San Clemente Beats Newport Harbor
San Clemente used its considerable height advantage and stifling “dog defense” to shut down Newport Harbor, 56-42, Friday night in the semifinals of the Anaheim Holiday basketball tournament at the Anaheim Convention Center.
The 10th-ranked Tritons will meet eighth-ranked Villa Park, which hammered Esperanza in the other semifinal, 59-40, for the championship at 8 tonight.
After his team led by only six points at halftime, San Clemente Coach Brad Davis inserted a lineup that included Greg Garrett and Brian George, both 6 feet 6, along with 6-2, 235-pound bruiser Mat Clark. The lineup wreaked havoc against the Sailors, who have only one player, Dustin Illingworth, as tall as 6-4.
As if the height advantage wasn’t enough, the Tritons (8-1) also played suffocating defense.
“We wanted to make them worried about just making a pass, not to mention even shooting the ball,” Davis said. “If we can play defense like that, we can be in any ballgame.”
George scored 10 of his team-high 16 points in the second half and guard Curtis Bush added 14 as the Tritons held off a late charge by Newport Harbor (6-2).
After San Clemente guard Jordan Fleener was whistled for a pushing foul and then a technical foul after slamming the ball against the court in frustration, the Sailors hit two of four free throws to close the deficit to 42-38. A subsequent free throw by Illingworth (game-high 18 points) cut the Tritons’ advantage to three points with just over five minutes left in the game.
But consecutive three-pointers by George and Geoff Fickling (nine points) helped the Tritons extend their lead to a comfortable 48-39 with 2:29 remaining.
San Clemente then thwarted Newport Harbor’s attempt at a final push, which never materialized.
“We played them pretty tight so they couldn’t get shots off,” George said.
The victory gives the Tritons confidence not only heading into tonight’s title game but also for their upcoming South Coast League schedule.
After all, Newport Harbor defeated El Toro--the Tritons’ chief rival--to reach the semifinals.
Guard Aaron Yarnall finished with 13 points for the Sailors.
In the other semifinal:
Villa Park 59, Esperanza 40--Tony Bryant scored 13 of his game-high 18 points in the first half as the second-seeded Spartans (7-1) built a six-point halftime edge and cruised to victory over the Aztecs (4-5).
Matt MacGinnis added 15 points for Villa Park, which wore down Esperanza in the second half with its depth.
Still, Spartan Coach Kevin Reynolds said it will take a better effort to beat San Clemente.
Villa Park converted only 15 of 31 free throws and failed to deliver a knockout blow until early in the fourth quarter.
“We’re going to have to play our best game of the year,” Reynolds said.
Doug Brown, who finished with 17 points, was the only player to score in double figures for Esperanza.
In another tournament game:
Capistrano Valley 43, South Gate 28--Matt Sweany had 13 points, eight rebounds and four assists and Lucas Pace had six rebounds for Capistrano Valley (6-3), which plays Foothill today at 4:30 in the consolation final.
Katella 74, Lancaster 68--Phillip Tyson scored 21 points and Marcus Espinoza added 20 for the victorious Knights, who were also a perfect 13 for 13 from the free-throw line.
Katella will play Mission Viejo or Santa Ana today at 10:30 a.m. at the Convention Center.
