Saints Are Striving to Put It Together

Santa Clara High has won its last two games by a total of 44 points en route to winning the Southern Section Division V-AA basketball championship.

But to listen to Coach Lou Cvijanovich, the Saints haven’t peaked as they begin the state Division V tournament.

“I don’t think we’ve played our best game yet,” Cvijanovich said.

He does have a point.

The Saints (26-3), who host La Jolla Country Day (27-7) in a regional opener at 7:30 tonight, were outscored in the second half of a 77-56 section semifinal victory over Pacific Hills. They also stumbled in the second quarter of a 75-52 championship-game victory over Pasadena Poly.

Said Cvijanovich: “If we ever put four quarters together. . .”

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Antelope Valley Christian, accustomed to having its way on the basketball court, must shake off a lopsided defeat heading into the state tournament.

The Eagles were defeated by Price, 77-60, in the Southern Section Division V-A final last week, a disappointment that might be lingering as they travel to Cambria for a regional opener tonight against Coast Union.

“The only problem is getting back up to play again after the loss,” Coach David Nurse said. “Our motto is to play smart and play hard. We’re trying to recapture that right now.”

Center Peter Beaudin, who scored 23 points against Price, is expected to play against Coast Union (23-3) despite a sprained left ankle he suffered in the championship game.

After a four-hour bus ride to Cambria, the Eagles (21-3) will be within a few miles of Hearst Castle in San Simeon. There will be no tourist detour, however.

“It’s going to be a pretty sight, but our kids will have other things on their mind,” Nurse said.

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Chaminade (24-4), winner of consecutive Southern Section Division III-A titles, will host San Diego St. Augustine (20-8) in a Division III regional opener at 7:30 tonight.

GIRLS’ NOTES

Harvard-Westlake could log some serious mileage this week in the Division III Southern Regionals.

The Wolverines (26-5), who travel to San Diego Kearny tonight for a first-round game, could play at second-seeded Wasco, north of Bakersfield, Thursday in a regional semifinal. The regional championship will be played Saturday at the Pyramid in Long Beach.

Harvard-Westlake was ranked No. 1 in the state among Division III schools until a 53-46 loss to Inglewood Morningside in the Southern Section III-A final Friday.

“I don’t have a problem with the draw,” Wolverine Coach Brian Taylor said. “I thought it was fair.”

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Harvard-Westlake guard Brooke Porter, who received six stitches in her lower lip after colliding with a Morningside player Friday, is expected to play tonight.

Porter, a junior, is the Wolverines’ second-leading scorer and top three-point shooter.