SoCalHoops High School News

Tuesday Results: Irvine World
News Tournament--(Dec. 16, 1998)

We really don't know a lot about this tournament, but there were a ton of games played yesterday.  It looks like all of the games, at least in pool play are being held at Irvine, University (Irvine) and at Woodbridge.  We couldn't get a schedule for today's games, but the second round was scheduled to be played at the same venues. Call the schools for times and game schedules.   Here's what we know happened yesterday, courtesy of the LA Times, the Orange County Register, and the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin. 

San Clemente 76,  Fountain Valley 51--The Tritons were led by 6-foot-5 swingman Mitch Pierce (15 points, seven assists, six steals), who dominated play in the second half at Woodbridge High with his ball-handling in the key.  San Clemente was coming off a 65-62 victory over Corona del Mar Saturday in the championship game of Century tournament. After a slow start in which Pierce, the Century tournament MVP, made only one of his first five shots, he closed out the game by making five of his last six.  Seven players scored for San Clemente and all 10 players who suited up got into the game. Pierce said that is crucial if the Tritons, who were fifth in the South Coast last season, are to compete against top-ranked Mater Dei, fourth-ranked Capistrano Valley and seventh-ranked Trabuco Hills. "We have lots of depth and when we get to the league we need everyone to contribute," he said. "This game tonight will really help us prepare. It was great for our bench players."   Triton guard Ben Straley led all scorers with 22 points, most coming in a last-quarter flurry. Teammate Joe Tatala had 18 points. Fountain Valley guard Ryan Moreau, on the strength of four second-half three-pointers, led the Barons with 20 points. The Tritons (5-1), who will get a test tonight against Woodbridge, made 24 of 50 field-goal attempts Tuesday, including five three-pointers.  Fountain Valley (4-2) turned the ball over 23 times, many of them the direct result of San Clemente's aggressive defense.

"We have our work cut out for us in that league, so we have to be as good as we can be defensively," San Clemente Coach Brad Davis said. "If we continue to play this kind of hard defense, we'll be in the game."   San Clemente closed the first half by outscoring the Barons, 11-6, to take a 32-22 lead.
Despite four three-point baskets by Moreau in the first six minutes of the third quarter, the Tritons slowly pulled away to a 17-point lead.

St. Paul 71, San Diego Vista 59--The Swordsmen (3-3) got a game-high 24 points and 12 rebounds from senior center Chris Landrum in their first-round victory at the Irvine World News Tournament. Jesse Martinez finished with 17 points and Alex Villegas added 16 for St. Paul.

Woodbridge 69, La Puente Nogales 58--Brent Weiss scored 20 points for Woodbridge (3-4), which trailed 7-0 but scored 17 consecutive points to pull away. 

Irvine 74, Alhambra Keppel 59--The Vaqueros (6-1) used a 27-5 second quarter to break open a close game and earn the victory over the Aztecs (4-3).Chris Ferguson had 27 points, including five three-pointers, for Irvine.   

Newport Harbor 80, San Diego Cajon 57--Dustin Illingworth scored 19 points to lead Newport Harbor (5-1). Cajon is 2-3.

La Costa Canyon 58, Dana Hills 50--Mike Bonwell had 17 points and Brian Faulustich 16 for La Costa Canyon.  Brett Nowell scored a team-high 13 points for the Dolphins. 

Oceanside 71, Estancia 66--Brett Valbuena scored 21 points and John Cantrell 15 for the Eagles, who trailed 35-33 at the half.  Seth Berry led Oceanside with 17 points.

University 78, Huntington Beach 56--Andy Lawrence made eight three-pointers and finished with 28 points to lead University. The Trojans (5-1) made 14 three-pointers in the game, including three by Chet Johnson, who finished with 22 points.

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