SoCalHoops High School All-Star News

Obviously, we couldn't be in two places at once, and since we were at the adidas Double Pump California All-Star Classic on Saturday night, we weren't in Orange County at Orange Coast College for the 34th Annual Orange County All-Star Basketball game.  But James Gavin of the Orange County Register was there, and he had most of the details.  Here's the story (we've rearranged it to keep the boys' and girls' game details separate. . . why do newspapers feel compelled to mix this stuff up?):

The most spectatular moment of the 34th boys Orange County All-Star basketball game Saturday night at Orange Coast College came at halftime, when Brea's Kyle Dodd put on a crowd-pleasing dunking exhibition.  The game itself was a hard-fought battle that saw the South edge the North, 88-82.

The first half of the boys game could be called ugly by all-star standards. Both teams turned the ball over while trying to establish some kind of rhythm. Chet Johnson of University made a nice reverse layup and hit a three-pointer to put the South up 19-11. 

Sonora's Marqui Worthy scored seven points to pace the North in the first half. Canyon's Neil Hammad and Troy's Jerry Inzunza each hit three-pointer to cut the South lead to 36-31.  Irvine's Chris Ferguson hit a three-pointer at the halftime buzzer to put the South ahead 41-31. The South had six players finish in double figures, including Santa Margarita's Spencer Gloger, who scored 14 and was voted Most Valuable Player.

Worthy scored a game-high 22 points and led a late charge by the North. Inzunza and Brea's Jerrett Skrifvars each scored 11 for the North, which took an 82-80 lead with three minutes to play. "They a got second chances and made a run," said South coach Brent Fleming of Laguna Beach. "We didn't panic and our guards did a nice job." Mike Stowell of Capistrano Valley also scored 14 points for the South. Newport Harbor's Matt Jameson put away the game with two layups.

Boys Game (Scoring Totals)

SOUTH 88, NORTH 82

North: Hammad 6, Gracia 2, Dodd 6, Mansell 6, Inzunza 11, Okoro 4, Worthy 22, Skrifvars 11, Stoa 4, Rachlin 5, Carey 5 South: Ferguson 12, Dow 1, Stowell 14, Jameson 13, Pierson 3, Beinfohr 4, Johnson 7, Sola 10, Gloger 14, Zepeda 10

North 31, 51--82
South 41, 47--88
Three pointers: North 4 (Hammad 2, Inzunza, Skrifvars); South  4 (Ferguson 2, Jameson, Johnson)

In the 22nd annual girls game earlier in the evening, Calvary Chapel's Cathy Joens scored 24 points and El Toro's Gioconda Mendiola added 17 to lead the South to its seventh consecutive victory over the North, 78-67. In the first half of the girls game, it looked like the North would break its six-game losing streak against the South.  Kimberly Omer of Esperanza came off the bench to spark the North, pushing the ball and dishing to the wings.  She found Carrie Bannister of Loara for a three-pointer and Meghan O'Neill of Canyon for a layup to put the south ahead 26-21.

Allison of Gerber, also of Esperanza and bound for Loyola Marymount next year, scored eight first-half points as the South took a 39-27 at the half. "We were not playing any defense," said South coach Vince Avitabile of El Toro. "And they can hit the three." In the second half, the South stepped up its perimeter defense, allowing Joens and Gioconda Mendiola of El Toro to get good looks in the open floor.  Mendiola, who has committed to Washington, scored five consecutive points, including a three-pointer and breakaway layup, to cut the North's lead to 50-44. "All these kids are at their best when we push it,"  Avitabile said. "Chanda McLeod got rebounds and we had a big run." Debby Caine of San Clemente and Aprile Powell of Century hit key baskets down the stretch as the South took a 76-67 league. Joens, who will attend George Washington next year, finished with 24 points and was voted Most Valuable Player. 

Girls Game (Scoring Totals)

SOUTH 78, NORTH 67

North: O'Neill 11, Smith 2, Banister 6, Omer 4, Bollini 5, Gerber 14, Colon 1, Costello 14, Matweeff 4, Fister 6.
South: Joens 24, Guerrero 2, Gio. Mendiola 17, Patterson 1, Caine 12, Brown 2, Powell 20.

North 39, 28--67
South 27, 51--78
Three pointers: North  4 (O'Neill, Banister 2, Gerber);
South  7 (Joens 3, Gio. Mendiola 2, Caine 2).

 
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